Crime

Former Mayor of DeRidder Arrested on Rape Charges

Former Mayor Clanton Roberts

Misty Clanton Roberts, who recently resigned from her mayoral position in the small southwest Louisiana city of DeRidder, has been arrested on charges of third-degree rape and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The arrest was made by Louisiana State Police on Thursday, and Roberts, 42, was subsequently released from the Beauregard Parish jail after posting a $75,000 bond, according to news reports.

The exact date of The Former Mayor arraignment has not been disclosed.

Sgt. Ross Brennan, spokesperson for the state police, stated that the Special Victims Unit received information from a juvenile victim and another juvenile. They alleged that Roberts engaged in sexual activity with the minor while she was serving as the mayor of DeRidder, a city with a population of approximately 10,000, located about 50 miles north of Lake Charles. Brennan did not provide specifics regarding the age, gender, or hometown of the alleged victims.

The Former Mayor’s arrest followed her sudden resignation less than a week earlier. On July 27, she submitted her resignation letter to the city council. Prior to that, she had informed Council Clerk Glenna Luther, via a letter, that she would be taking an unplanned two-week leave and had appointed Fire Chief Ken Harlow as acting mayor during her absence.

Adam Johnson, Roberts’ attorney, released a statement to KPLC-TV asserting her innocence. “She has not been charged with a crime and/or convicted of any crime,” Johnson said. “We trust the public will respect her constitutional presumption of innocence, which is fundamental to our system of justice. Misty and her family are very grateful for the support they have received from their friends and neighbors and we look forward to putting this unfortunate situation behind them.”

Roberts, an independent, made history in 2018 by becoming the first woman to serve as mayor of DeRidder. She was in her second term after being re-elected in 2022.

For more news logg on to newstodaygh.com

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