Former DeRidder Mayor MISTY ROBERTS (photo courtesy of Beauregard Parish Sheriff's Office)
She faced up to 17 years in prison; instead, she got 90 days. That was the sentence Judge Kent Savoie handed to former DeRidder Mayor Misty Roberts, who was convicted back in March of having sex with a 16-year-old boy while she was in office. Pamela Sleezer, who’s been covering the trial for the American Press, says the prosecution was not happy with the lenient sentence.
“The state made it clear that they wanted the maximum sentence, and they did not want it to be viewed as a leniency towards her. And they implored the judge to please not show leniency, to show that she must answer for these crimes,” Sleezer said.
The victim’s mother called out the 44-year-old predator with hair extensions in high heels during her impact statement. Sleezer says while Savoie acknowledged the mother’s statement, he considered other factors as well.
“He said, to his knowledge, there is no crime that she has ever committed on the record that he’s aware of. She has complied with everything through her trial and awaiting sentencing and everything,” Sleezer explained.
During the sentencing, the prosecution implored Judge Savoie to be mindful of the fact that Roberts committed this crime while she was serving as mayor. Sleezer says Savoie was unfazed by that.
“Because, in his opinion, she was not acting as mayor or using her authority as mayor at the time that this occurred,” Sleezer noted.
The victim’s mother calls Roberts a predator with hair extensions and high heels.
Roberts told the court she blames herself for what happened on July 20, 2024 during her teenage son’s birthday party. Roberts added she’s been an embarrassment to the city.
Roberts must also pay a $5,000 fine, undergo regular drug screenings and psychological therapy, and register as a sex offender.
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