DERIDDER, La. — Misty Clanton Roberts, the former mayor of DeRidder, is back in court this week as her second criminal trial moves forward in the 36th Judicial District Court.
Roberts, 43, faces charges of felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles. She has pleaded not guilty.
The case centers on allegations that Roberts engaged in sexual activity with a 16-year-old boy during a party at her home in July 2024, while she was still in office. Prosecutors say the evidence shows that what happened that night crossed the line into criminal conduct. Her attorneys insist it did not.
What prosecutors told jurors
In opening statements, the state said it plans to rely heavily on digital evidence. That includes screenshots of text messages between Roberts and the alleged victim’s mother, as well as a photograph taken the night of the incident.
Jurors have already been shown a series of messages exchanged between Roberts and her son. In one message, the son cautioned her, writing, “He is seventeen.” Prosecutors maintain the alleged victim was 16 at the time.
Other messages presented in court described the situation that night as “crazy,” with Roberts’ son telling his mother that his younger sister was “crying.”
The Daily Mail continues:
Roberts’ daughter also testified, as prosecutors played her interview with investigators. In it, she said she saw her mother and the teenage boy ‘on top of each other’ that night.
None of the young witnesses testified to seeing ‘private parts,’ according to testimony. One said the boy was shirtless.
Jurors were also shown photographs from the party, including images of minors holding drinks near the pool.
Prosecutors described one image of Roberts in a bikini standing near the teen – who appeared to be smiling and looking up at her – as ‘lewd.’
Jurors heard that after the alleged encounter, the boy’s mother texted Roberts to ask whether she might be pregnant. According to prosecutors, Roberts replied that she was on birth control. The state further alleges Roberts later shared a screenshot of that exchange in a group chat, saying she intended to take Plan B as an added precaution.
A DoorDash driver further testified that he accepted an order from someone listed as “Misty C” to purchase emergency contraception and leave it at Roberts’ front door.
Defense pushes back
Roberts’ legal team has forcefully rejected the allegations. Defense attorneys argue that no criminal act occurred and that investigators mishandled key parts of the case.
They have also sought to undermine the credibility of certain witnesses.
Still, jurors heard from Roberts’ former husband, Duncan Clanton. Under oath, he testified that Roberts admitted the misconduct to him personally. The defense has questioned his motives and reliability.
The case now turns largely on how jurors weigh that testimony against the digital evidence and the competing accounts of what happened inside the home that night.
A case marked by legal twists
This is not the first time Roberts has faced a jury.
A prior proceeding in Beauregard Parish ended before a verdict could be rendered when the Louisiana Supreme Court removed two local judges for alleged connections to Roberts’ ex-husband. As a result, the original indictments were quashed rather than resolved through a standard mistrial.
Prosecutors later reindicted Roberts, and an ad hoc judge was appointed to oversee the new trial.
Roberts resigned as mayor in July 2024 as the investigation unfolded. She was arrested the following month on charges that initially included third-degree rape and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles. The formal charges evolved as the case moved through the courts.
For now, the focus is back in the courtroom. Jurors are being asked to sort through text messages, testimony, and conflicting personal accounts to decide whether a sitting mayor broke the law.
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