Former DeRidder Mayor Misty Roberts was sentenced Tuesday to 90 days in the parish jail and fined $5,000 after her conviction on sex-crime charges tied to a 16-year-old boy. Judge Kent Savoie also imposed five years of probation, sex-offender registration and a string of conditions that will govern her release.
Savoie ordered Roberts to stay away from drugs and alcohol, submit to random drug screenings, undergo psychotropic and psychological therapy, pay monthly supervision fees and have no contact with the victim or his family. He also suspended two five-year prison terms on the felony convictions, to run concurrently unless she violates probation; if that happens, she could serve 10 years in prison.
The sentence came nearly two weeks after the judge denied a defense motion for a new trial. Roberts was convicted on March 3 of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and indecent behavior with a juvenile, both felonies that carry up to 17 years under state law with no minimum sentence. Her sentencing had been set for April 17 but was delayed at the defense’s request.
Roberts, 44, had been released after the verdict because of a condition of her bond. In court she expressed remorse, telling the judge, “What an embarrassment I’ve been to this city,” and saying she blamed herself for what happened. But Savoie said he did not believe she was taking full responsibility for her actions, sharpening the divide between her apology and the punishment he imposed.
Prosecutors had asked for the maximum sentence of 10 years on one count and seven years on the other, while the defense sought a suspended sentence. Beauregard Parish District Attorney James Lestage said his office had done its part and argued for the maximum penalties, but added that he did not think the sentence reflected the severity of the crimes or the values of Beauregard Parish.
The case has stretched beyond the courtroom. Roberts was mayor of DeRidder when the crimes occurred, and testimony in the case described a 2024 party at which she was accused of having sex with her son’s 16-year-old friend. The victim’s mother told the court her son has suffered panic attacks, missed a lot of school and left the family worried about his safety, underscoring the fallout that remained when the sentence was finally handed down.
With the jail term now set, the next test for Roberts is whether she can comply with probation and treatment conditions after release. If she cannot, the suspended prison time waiting behind the sentence could become real.
