One week after her unexpected departure, 42-year-old Louisiana mayor Misty Roberts was charged of raping a juvenile.

A Louisiana mayor is accused of raping a youngster while she was in office. The mayor abruptly took a leave of absence and resigned last week.

The Louisiana State Police said on Thursday that Misty Roberts, the former mayor of DeRidder, had been charged with third-degree rape and contributing to the delinquency of kids.

The 42-year-old mayor was serving her second term when the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office asked the state police to check into a complaint against her. This led to the opening of an inquiry into the 42-year-old mayor on July 26.

“LSP SVU interviewed two adolescents, one of whom was the victim, as the investigation went on. In a statement, it was stated that “both juveniles confirmed Roberts had sex with one juvenile victim while working as mayor.”

According to jail records, Roberts was taken into the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office Jail at 10:13 a.m. and released 77 minutes later after posting a $75,000 bond.

While criticizing law enforcement for not speaking with the former mayor prior to her detention, Roberts’ attorney maintained that his client was innocent.

“I am honored to speak on behalf of Misty Roberts. Despite not being called to be interviewed before investigators obtained the warrant, my client found out about it late last night,” Adam Johnson stated, as reported by KPLC. “My client insists that she is innocent and that she is innocent as of right now.”

He said, “We trust that the public will uphold her constitutional presumption of innocence, which is essential to our justice system.” “Misty and her family are eager to move past this unfortunate situation and are extremely appreciative of the support they have received from their friends and neighbors.”

She declared on July 26 that she would be leaving her job for two weeks, the same day that police began their investigation, according to the publication, which led to her detention.

Ken Harlow, the fire chief of DeRidder, was named her mayor pro tem.

However, the disgraced former mayor gave the city council a resignation letter a day later.

“My love and passion for DeRidder has been my foundation while serving as Mayor for nearly 15 years,” Roberts wrote.

“I’ve been rewarded with many wonderful relationships by this work. I am privileged to have seen firsthand the perseverance and teamwork required for a community to rise above extraordinary circumstances. But I have to refocus and reorder my priorities,” she continued.

The resignation must be officially announced by the office of the Louisiana Secretary of State before Randy Larken, the president of the City Council, takes over as mayor pro tem of the city until a new mayor is chosen on March 29, 2025.

The city of DeRidder, which has a population of fewer than 10,000, is located about 20 miles from the Texas–Louisiana border on the state’s western edge.

She was taken into custody by Louisiana State Police on Thursday morning and charged with third-degree rape and contributing to the delinquency of minors.

According to jail records, Clanton was given a £58,936 ($75,000) bond before being freed.

On July 26, the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office asked the state police to investigate into a complaint against Clanton, also known as Misty Roberts. This prompted the opening of an investigation into the former mayor.

The Special Victim’s Unit of the police department reported that two minors were questioned by detectives on the claims.

“As the investigation went on, LSP SVU spoke with two minors, one of whom was the victim,” the statement read.

Adam Johnson, Clanton’s lawyer, has refuted the accusations.

He stated: “My client was not called to be interrogated before investigators obtained the warrant, but they found out late yesterday night that there was one.