The former mayor of DeRidder, Louisiana, Misty Roberts, 43, has been labeled as ‘cold-blooded’ and an ‘alcoholic’ by her husband amidst their contentious divorce proceedings. This follows her conviction for engaging in sexual activities with a minor.
Roberts, who held the mayoral position when the incident occurred, was accused of having sexual relations with a 16-year-old during an alcohol-fueled party in 2024. On Tuesday, she was found guilty of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and indecent behavior after her son reportedly witnessed her with his friend at the event.
As the trial concluded, the jury was exposed to details of the tumultuous separation between Roberts and her husband, Duncan Clanton. The couple’s troubled relationship became a focus, with court documents revealing their ongoing divorce battle.
According to reports by The US Sun, Roberts confessed to Clanton about her encounter with the teenager the day after it transpired. Clanton, who provided testimony against his estranged wife, remains embroiled in the legal proceedings to dissolve their marriage.
Roberts had told Clanton of the encounter with the teen the day after it took place, The US Sun reported.
Clanton, who testified against Roberts, is still in the throws of divorce with Roberts as the court documents to end their marriage were laid bare to the jury.
‘You really are cold-blooded,’ Clanton texted Roberts in 2022, according to documents seen by the outlet.
‘Just wanted you to know what a real piece of s*** you really are!’
Misty Roberts, 43, was mayor of DeRidder when she was accused of having sex with a 16-year-old at a boozy party in 2024, and was found guilty on Tuesday
As her trial ended, the jury heard of Roberts’ messy split with her estranged husband, Duncan Clanton seen left, who described her as a ‘cold blooded, alcoholic’
Clanton, who testified against Roberts, is still in the throws of divorce with Roberts as the court documents to end their marriage were laid bare to the jury
The fiery text messages bounced between discussing their children to the affair Roberts allegedly had, which she denies.
‘Funny how you call me psychotic and you were the one who left me for a cop or a damn dirt contractor,’ Clanton wrote.
‘An alcoholic, cheating SOB! And you blame me around every corner for that. No telling how long you’ve been with that f*** as much as you’ve been to baseball games. Y’all are a perfect match.’
Clanton went on to call her ‘shallow’ and told her to ‘have fun living your propped-up life!’
‘Yet you’re the social media super-mom! People see through your bulls*** every time you make a post. Keep on! You’re the wolf. And I have never been toxic. You just quit and gave up. Own it and you man the f*** up!’
But the foul-mouthed back and forth seemed to subside days before the party that landed the mayor in hot water.
‘I f***ed up, and I respect you enough to tell you,’ Roberts wrote to Clanton on July 23, 2024, three days after the incident, the Sun reported.
Yet, the shocking admission didn’t seem to stir Clanton, who responded: ‘You are a great mom and that’s what’s going to be your foundation. That’s what’s going to get you through it. You are strong. Can you call me?’
Roberts exits the Beauregard Parish Courthouse after being found guilty of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and indecent behavior with a juvenile in DeRidder
As Roberts’ trial wrapped up on Tuesday, the victim took the stand and told the court that he was drunk at the time he and Roberts had sex
He later wrote, ‘I won’t turn my back on you,’ according to the outlet.
Roberts then turned herself in August and was soon released on a $100,00 surety bond.
As Roberts’ trial wrapped up on Tuesday, the victim took the stand and told the court that he was drunk at the time he and Roberts had sex, the Sun reported.
‘I was kind of dizzy,’ he said. ‘I had to put my hands on the couch. My eyes were just like closed.’
He recalled that they had kissed by the pool before Roberts suggested a more private location, where she took her top off and pulled his pants down.
‘While it was happening, I couldn’t feel my body.’
Following the crime, the victim’s mother had got in touch with Roberts to ensure she wasn’t pregnant. At which point, Roberts said she was on birth control but later ordered a Plan B on DoorDash.
At the beginning of her trial, Roberts’ son took the stand and said he had seen the pair having sex on the night of the party through a crack in a window.
Clanton and Roberts had joint custody of their children, with Clanton ordered to pay Roberts $2,750 a month in child support
Text messages between Roberts and her son were also revealed during the proceedings, which detailed what alcohol they would want for the party that night.
Other messages saw Roberts’ son say that what was happening was crazy and that his little sister was crying.
‘He is seventeen,’ Roberts’ son texted his mom, the outlet reported. It was later confirmed that the teen was 16 years old.
Roberts’ daughter also testified to having seen her mom and the young man ‘on top of each other’ on the night of the party.
None of the witnesses testified to seeing any ‘private parts’ of Roberts or the victim, however one witness said the victim was shirtless.
The court was also shown ‘lewd’ photographs of Roberts from the party, which saw her in a bikini with the teen looking up at her smiling.
Prosecutor Charles Robinson told the court that, ‘A lewd and lascivious picture is worth a thousand words, and that was what was uncovered.’
Roberts resigned as mayor soon after an investigation was launched, and she was then arrested not long after handing her resignation in July 2024.
As her trial began earlier this week, an interview with Roberts’ son revealed to the court on Friday that he claimed to have seen his mom having sex on the night of the party
The divorce documents revealed that in September, after messages showed support from Clanton in her resignation, he texted: ‘It hasn’t been one-sided. I’ve listened to you but you don’t accept the fact that you are in this position because of your own actions, and I won’t let the kids suffer anymore.’
The pair had joint custody of their children, with Clanton ordered to pay Roberts $2,750 a month in child support.
In her resignation letter, she said: ‘For nearly 15 years, my love and passion for DeRidder has been my foundation while serving as Mayor.
‘I will forever be proud of what we have been able to accomplish – together. This role has rewarded me with many great relationships.
‘I am humbled to have witnessed the hard work that took a community to come together and overcome through unprecedented times. However, I must adjust my focus and priorities.
‘Please accept this letter as my formal resignation, effective today.
‘To the residents of this city: Thank you for your trust, love and support in me to lead our city into our future of greatness. My love for DeRidder will never waiver.’
Roberts was in the middle of her second term as the municipality’s mayor, winning reelection with sixty percent of the vote in 2022.
