Louisiana Mayor resigns amid allegations of sexual misconduct

Misty Dawn Clanton Roberts, 42, the former mayor of DeRidder, Louisiana, was arrested Thursday on charges related to alleged sexual misconduct with a minor. Louisiana State Police took Roberts into custody and booked her into the Beauregard Parish Sheriff's Office following an investigation by the department's Special Victims Unit.

According to the Law Enforcement in the Pelican State, the former DeRidder mayor has been accused of one count each of rape in the third degree and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles. However, Roberts maintains that she is innocent. 

The Louisiana State Police Special Victims Unit started investigating Roberts on July 26. They interviewed two minors, one of whom was allegedly the victim. Both minors reportedly stated that Roberts had sexual contact with one of them while she was still in office.

Roberts informally resigned from her mayoral position on July 27, in the middle of her second term as the municipality’s executive. Just last year, she won the election after securing 60% of the votes. However, city officials told the newspaper American Press that she did not submit a signed and notarized letter to formally process a resignation.

The events leading to Roberts’ resignation and subsequent arrest unfolded rapidly. On July 25, she sent a letter to the city council stating she would be “out of the city” for two weeks, leaving DeRidder Fire Chief Ken Harlow in charge as acting mayor. Following her resignation letter, rumors began circulating, prompting city council members to meet with one another and the city attorney. A special council session was called to consider launching an investigation into the mayor, but this was canceled after officials learned that law enforcement was already investigating Roberts.

On August 1, Roberts turned herself in to investigators “without incident,” according to the state police press release. She was released after posting a $75,000 bond.

In a statement provided to Baton Rouge-based CBS affiliate WAFB, Roberts’ defense attorney, Adam Johnson, said, “My client learned late last night of a warrant, despite not being contacted to be interviewed prior to investigators obtaining the warrant. My client maintains her innocence and, as it stands, she is in fact innocent. She has not been charged with a crime and/or convicted of any crime. And we trust the public will respect her constitutional presumption of innocence which is fundamental to our system of justice. Misty and her family are very grateful for the support they have received from their friends and neighbors and we look forward to putting this unfortunate situation behind them.”

The police have kept further details confidential, not revealing any more information while they continue their investigation.