DeRidder, Louisiana — Former DeRidder Mayor Misty Roberts has completed her 90-day jail sentence after being convicted of having sex with a 16-year-old boy while she was still in office.
Roberts, 44, was convicted in March of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and indecent behavior with a juvenile after a jury found she had sex with the teenager at a 2024 house party. She had faced up to 17 years in prison, though state law did not require a minimum sentence.
Judge Kent Savoie sentenced Roberts in June to 90 days in jail, a $5,000 fine and suspended prison terms. She must also register as a sex offender, submit to drug screenings and undergo psychological treatment.
The sentence drew criticism, particularly after KPLC reported that more than 30 cases Savoie used as comparisons had all ended in plea agreements rather than jury convictions. Prosecutors later asked him to impose a harsher sentence.
Savoie rejected that request on Aug. 31, while acknowledging he had made a mistake in how he evaluated those earlier cases. He said the error did not justify increasing Roberts’ punishment after sentencing.
Roberts resigned as mayor shortly before her 2024 arrest. Her conviction and sex-offender registration remain in place following her release.
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