The former mayor of DeRidder, Louisiana, has been convicted on serious charges involving sexual misconduct with a teenager, while explosive divorce documents reveal her estranged husband's scathing descriptions of her as "cold-blooded" and an "alcoholic." Misty Roberts, 43, was found guilty on Tuesday of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and indecent behavior with a juvenile following a trial that exposed both the criminal incident and her tumultuous personal life.
The Party That Led to Conviction
Roberts' downfall began at a boozy party in 2024, where she was accused of having sex with a 16-year-old boy. The incident came to light when her own son reportedly caught them in the act through a window crack. During the trial, the victim testified that he was intoxicated at the time, describing feeling dizzy and disconnected from his body during the encounter.
Explosive Divorce Documents Revealed
As the trial concluded, jurors were presented with bitter divorce documents between Roberts and her estranged husband, Duncan Clanton. Clanton, who testified against Roberts, had exchanged fiery text messages with her, calling her "cold-blooded" and a "real piece of s***." In one particularly damning message, he wrote: "An alcoholic, cheating SOB! And you blame me around every corner for that."
The messages revealed a relationship in complete collapse, bouncing between discussions about their children and Roberts' alleged affairs. Clanton accused her of being "shallow" and living a "propped-up life," while Roberts herself admitted to the teenage encounter in a text to Clanton just three days after it occurred, writing: "I f***ed up, and I respect you enough to tell you."
Witness Testimonies and Evidence
Multiple witnesses provided damaging testimony during the trial. Roberts' daughter testified to seeing her mother and the teenager "on top of each other" at the party, while prosecutors presented "lewd" photographs showing Roberts in a bikini with the teen looking up at her smiling. Prosecutor Charles Robinson told the court: "A lewd and lascivious picture is worth a thousand words, and that was what was uncovered."
The Aftermath and Resignation
Roberts turned herself in to authorities in August 2024 and was released on a $100,000 surety bond. She resigned as mayor soon after an investigation was launched, ending what had been a promising political career. In her resignation letter, she expressed pride in her nearly 15 years of service to DeRidder, where she had won reelection with sixty percent of the vote in 2022.
The divorce proceedings revealed that Clanton and Roberts had joint custody of their children, with Clanton ordered to pay $2,750 monthly in child support. Despite earlier supportive messages following her resignation, Clanton later texted: "I won't let the kids suffer anymore," indicating the complete breakdown of their relationship.
This case has shocked the small Louisiana community of DeRidder, combining elements of political scandal, criminal conviction, and bitter personal divorce in a story that continues to unfold as Roberts faces the consequences of her actions.
