Former DeRidder Mayor misty roberts clanton has been arrested on 2 aug for child rape charges just days after she abruptly resigned from office. Roberts, 42, who made history as the city’s first female mayor, is facing charges of third-degree rape and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles, according to a statement from the Louisiana State Police (LSP) on Thursday.
Investigation and Arrest
The investigation into Roberts began on July 26 2024, after the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office requested the LSP to probe allegations against her. Authorities interviewed two juveniles, one of whom was identified as the victim. According to the LSP statement, the minors confirmed that Roberts engaged in sexual intercourse with one of them while serving as mayor.
On Wednesday, a warrant was issued for her arrest. She surrendered to authorities on Thursday morning, booking into the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office Jail at 10:13 a.m. local time. Jail records show that she was released just over an hour later after posting a $75,000 bond.
Legal Defense and Public Response
Roberts Clanton attorney, Adam Johnson, strongly denied the allegations and maintained her innocence. “My client was not given an opportunity to be interviewed before the warrant was issued,” Johnson said, per KPLC reports. “She stands by her innocence and remains entitled to due process. We trust that the public will respect her constitutional right to the presumption of innocence.”
Despite her arrest, Roberts’ resignation letter made no mention of the investigation. Instead, she emphasized her deep commitment to the city and the relationships she built during her tenure.“I must adjust my focus and priorities,” she wrote, citing personal reasons for stepping down.
Background and Leadership Transition
Roberts Clanton, a 2000 graduate of DeRidder High School, earned a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication with a focus on public relations from McNeese State University in 2004. She served as the city’s director of community service for nearly a decade before being elected mayor in 2018 and re-elected for a second term.
DeRidder, a city of approximately 10,000 residents located 50 miles east of Jasper, Texas, and 240 miles west of New Orleans, will hold its next mayoral election in March. In the interim, City Council President Randy Larken has assumed the role of acting mayor.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue gathering evidence related to the charges against Roberts
