A US mayor who recently resigned from her position was arrested on charges of raping a child just days later. Misty Dawn Clanton Roberts, who served as mayor of the small town of DeRidder, Louisiana, informally stepped down last Saturday.
Before her resignation, Roberts informed the city council via letter that she would be ‘out of the city’ for a few weeks. She subsequently submitted a resignation letter, but as of last week, the secretary of state had not received an official signed and notarized copy, according to the American Press.
Amid these events, city council members began receiving calls about Roberts. While local officials investigated these claims, the Louisiana State Police confirmed on Wednesday that they had opened an investigation into Roberts.
Roberts was arrested without incident on Thursday after turning herself in on a warrant issued by the Beauregard Parish 36th Judicial District Court. This followed a request by the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office for the state’s extraordinary victim’s unit to investigate a complaint alleging Roberts had sexual contact with a juvenile. Interviews with two minors, including the alleged victim, confirmed the accusations.
Roberts’ attorney, Adam Johnson, stated that she was not interviewed by law enforcement before learning about the warrant for her arrest. “My client maintains her innocence, and, as it stands, she is innocent,” Johnson said.
Roberts faces charges of third-degree rape and contributing to juvenile delinquency. She has been released from jail after posting a $75,000 bond. Johnson emphasized Roberts’ constitutional presumption of innocence and expressed gratitude for the support from friends and neighbours, hoping to move past the situation soon.
