Former DeRidder, Louisiana Mayor Misty Roberts has been released from jail after completing a 90 day sentence following her conviction for sex offences involving a 16 year old boy.

Roberts, 44, was released on September 7, according to Louisiana state records.

A jury convicted her in March 2026 of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and indecent behavior with a juvenile, both felony offences.

INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE ROBERTS WAS MAYOR

The case stemmed from an incident at Roberts' home in July 2024 while she was serving as mayor of DeRidder.

Prosecutors said Roberts had sex with the 16 year old during a house party attended by teenagers.

The teenager was reportedly a friend of Roberts' son.

Roberts resigned from her position as mayor shortly before her arrest in August 2024.

SENTENCED TO 90 DAYS

Judge Kent Savoie sentenced Roberts in June to 90 days in jail and imposed a $5,000 fine.

She also received two five year suspended sentences.

Roberts is required to undergo regular drug screenings and psychological therapy following her release and must remain registered as a sex offender.

The relatively short jail sentence generated considerable criticism from prosecutors and some members of the DeRidder community.

Roberts had faced a possible maximum sentence of 17 years for the two offences.

PROSECUTORS WANTED HARSHER SENTENCE

The Beauregard Parish District Attorney's Office subsequently asked the judge to reconsider the punishment.

The request followed reporting that the judge had relied on more than 30 previous cases that had been resolved through plea agreements when determining Roberts' sentence.

Roberts, however, had gone to trial and was convicted by a jury.

During an August 31 hearing, Judge Savoie acknowledged that his comparison with the plea agreement cases had been mistaken.

However, he declined prosecutors' request to increase Roberts' sentence, explaining that imposing a harsher punishment could effectively penalise her for exercising her right to a trial.

The original sentence therefore remained in place.

ROBERTS NOW RELEASED

Roberts has now completed the jail portion of her sentence.

Her release does not end the conditions imposed following her conviction.

She remains subject to the suspended sentences and other requirements imposed by the court.

If she violates the conditions attached to her release, she could face additional imprisonment.

The case continues to generate debate in Louisiana over whether the 90 day jail sentence adequately reflected the seriousness of the offences for which the former mayor was convicted.

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