A former female mayor who had sex with her son's 16-year-old friend at a pool party has been sentenced to just 90 days in jail, sparking outrage in her hometown. Misty Roberts, 44, was found guilty of indecency with a minor and carnal knowledge of a minor during a trial in March. The judge suspended a five-year sentence for each charge, to be served concurrently, ruling that Roberts would only serve 90 days behind bars if she undergoes psychological therapy and passes random drug and alcohol tests.
Outrage Over Sentence
Locals in DeRidder, Louisiana, expressed disappointment with the sentence. Kari McGee told local media: "A slap on the wrist for a child predator, because at the end of the day, that is exactly what it is. When it comes to children, we should use the fullest extent of the law. There are no excuses when it comes to our children." Neighbor Ryan Clark called it an "insult to the victim and his family," while another resident fumed: "She was an authority figure in a high position, and she got slapped on the hand. What if I did that? I'd be getting maxed out, no matter what, without a shadow of a doubt."
Court Proceedings
Roberts was led out of court in handcuffs, still wearing high heels, and placed in a prison van. During her trial, she hung her head in silence as the victim's family spoke. The boy's mother told the court: "Danger doesn't always come looking like danger. It doesn't always look like a man with candy in a van or a stranger we tell our kids to be aware of. This danger came from a predator with hair extensions, high heels, Botox and other augmentations."
Background
Roberts, who was elected as the first female mayor of DeRidder in 2018, was found guilty of felony charges at her March retrial. She had the option to pay a $150,000 bond to avoid custody pending an appeal but decided against it. Her attorney, Adam Johnson, said: "She wants to get it over with. She doesn't want it hanging over her head."
The judge also ordered Roberts to pay a $5,000 fine and $300 in prosecution costs and to stay away from the victim and his family. The incident occurred at a 2024 pool party at her home, where she was seen "on top of the topless boy" while wearing a bikini.
