Former Louisiana Mayor Convicted of Raping Teenager at Late-Night Pool Party
A disgraced former small-town mayor has been found guilty of having sexual relations with her son's sixteen-year-old friend during a late-night pool party where underage drinking occurred. Misty Roberts, aged forty-three, the ex-mayor of DeRidder, Louisiana, was convicted on Tuesday of third-degree rape and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles following a 2024 gathering at her private residence.
Emotional Testimony and Contradictory Evidence
Jurors returned the guilty verdict during her second trial, after a previous case ended in a mistrial due to judicial complications in Beauregard Parish. Last week, the courtroom heard compelling testimony from Roberts' own children, her former husband, a longtime friend, a DoorDash delivery driver, and multiple teenagers who were present on the night of the infamous pool party.
One of the most poignant moments unfolded as jurors watched a recorded 2025 forensic interview with Roberts' son. In that interview, the son stated he witnessed his mother engaging in sexual activity with his friend through a narrow crack in a window. However, when he took the stand in person, he expressed uncertainty about what he actually saw, creating a dramatic contradiction.
Revealing Text Messages and Photographic Evidence
Text messages between mother and son were prominently displayed in court. In one particularly damning exchange, the son warned his mother, 'He is seventeen.' Authorities have confirmed the alleged victim was only sixteen at the time of the incident. Roberts' daughter also testified via a recorded interview, stating she observed her mother and the teenage boy 'on top of each other' that evening.
Additional texts shown to jurors included discussions about what types of alcohol the teenagers desired for the party. Messages from that night revealed the son telling his mother the situation was 'crazy' and that his younger sister was in tears. Prosecutors presented photographs from the party, including images of minors holding drinks near the pool. One photo depicted Roberts in a bikini standing close to the teen, who appeared to be smiling and looking up at her; prosecutors described this image as 'lewd,' though most bodies were not visible.
Aftermath and Attempts to Conceal Evidence
The court also learned that after the alleged encounter, the teenage boy's mother texted Roberts to inquire if she was pregnant. Prosecutors revealed Roberts replied she was on birth control and later shared a screenshot of that exchange in a group chat, suggesting she would also take emergency contraception. A DoorDash driver testified he accepted a request from 'Misty C' to purchase Plan B and leave it at Roberts' front door, recognizing the house from previous trick-or-treating visits.
Roberts' nephew testified he attempted to see what was happening in the room using his phone's camera but was unsure if he pressed record. He admitted clearing his Snapchat memories before handing his phone to investigators, citing concerns about photos of underage drinking, though he insisted he did not intend to delete evidence. A teenage friend of the alleged victim testified the boy appeared intoxicated and vomited, describing Roberts as 'talkative and dancing' while flirting with the teen.
Confession and Resignation
On Saturday, Roberts' ex-husband, Duncan Clanton, told jurors she confessed directly to him. Clanton testified Roberts admitted to having sex with the teenage boy and that their children had caught them in the act. After a private conversation, he spoke with their son, who confirmed the story. Text messages between the former couple were shown, including one where Clanton wrote, 'I would deny what happened if you're approached by anyone at the meeting,' and another where Roberts pleaded, 'I need you to deny it, please.'
During cross-examination, defense attorney Todd Clemmons asked if Clanton agreed Roberts was a great mother. Clanton responded, 'No.' He later clarified he had previously told her she was a great mom because she was in a poor mental state and he was worried about her wellbeing. Roberts resigned as mayor days before her 2024 arrest. Bond conditions initially restricted her contact with her children without Clanton's permission and revoked child support payments.
Legal Proceedings and Retrial
The current trial follows a mistrial declared after two Beauregard Parish judges involved in earlier grand jury proceedings were removed, leading to the original indictments being dismissed. Roberts was subsequently re-indicted and arraigned on the current charges. None of the young witnesses testified to seeing explicit private parts, with one noting the boy was shirtless. The case has drawn significant attention due to Roberts' political position and the serious nature of the allegations involving minors and alcohol.
