Former Louisiana Mayor Faces Third-Degree Rape Charges Following Pool Party Allegations
The trial of former DeRidder mayor Misty Roberts, 43, has entered a critical phase with testimony from her own teenage children about what they allegedly witnessed at a 2024 pool party. Roberts stands accused of third-degree rape and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles following events that occurred while she served as mayor of the Louisiana city.
Children's Testimony Reveals Disturbing Details
During court proceedings last week, jurors heard how Roberts' teenage son initially told investigators he saw his mother having sex with his friend through a window crack at the party. Her daughter similarly reported seeing her mother and the teenager "on top of each other" during the gathering. However, when taking the stand on Thursday, the son expressed uncertainty about what he actually witnessed that night.
The prosecution presented compelling evidence including a text message where Roberts' son appears to inform her: "He is seventeen." The alleged victim was identified as 16 years old at the time of the incident, according to local media outlet KPLC.
Forensic Interviews and Digital Evidence Scrutinized
Forensic interviewers who spoke with children connected to the case testified about their investigations. One interviewer conducted sessions with three children, including the alleged victim, during July and August 2024. Another interviewed Roberts' children in March 2025 at the district attorney's request.
Roberts' nephew provided particularly revealing testimony about using his phone camera to observe the room that night. While uncertain if he recorded the incident, he admitted clearing his Snapchat memories before handing his phone to investigators, claiming he wanted to remove photos of underage drinking rather than destroy evidence.
Defence Challenges Investigation Methods
Defence attorney Adam Johnson raised significant concerns about the investigation's integrity, suggesting a key portion of the interview with Roberts' son was not properly transcribed. Johnson claimed the interviewer told the boy: "Just say it once, and we can move on," and described the transcription notes as largely unintelligible.
None of the three witnesses who testified on Thursday reported seeing any "private parts" of Roberts or the alleged victim, though one witness noted the teenager was shirtless during the incident.
Aftermath Communications Reveal Concerns
The court examined revealing text exchanges showing the victim's mother contacted Roberts to ensure she wasn't pregnant following the alleged incident. Roberts responded that she was on birth control, then shared screenshots of this conversation with friends in a group chat. Those friends reportedly advised her to take Plan B, and a DoorDash driver testified to delivering emergency contraception to Roberts' residence.
Political Fallout and Resignation
Roberts resigned as mayor in late July 2024, just days before her arrest on the serious charges. In her resignation letter, she expressed pride in her nearly 15 years of service to DeRidder, a city of approximately 10,000 residents where she had been re-elected in 2022 with sixty percent of the vote.
The former mayor had pleaded not guilty in early February to two felony charges: indecent behaviour with a juvenile and carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Her trial, which began last week after numerous delays, continues to unfold with dramatic testimony that has captured local attention in the small Louisiana community.
