The mayor of a small Louisiana town was arrested on child rape allegations days after resigning from her post.
A US mayor who suddenly resigned from her post was arrested just days later for allegedly raping a child.
Misty Dawn Clanton Roberts informally stepped down from her post as mayor of the small Louisiana town of DeRidder last Saturday.
Two days prior, Roberts had sent the city council a letter stating she would be ‘out of the city’ for a couple of weeks.
She then sent a resignation letter – but as of last week, the secretary of state had not received a signed and notarized copy making it official, reported American Press.
Meanwhile, city council members received calls regarding Roberts. While the local officials looked into claims, the Louisiana State Police on Wednesday confirmed they and opened an investigation into Roberts.
Roberts was arrested ‘without incident’ on Thursday after turning herself in while a warrant was out for her from the Beauregard Parish 36th Judicial District Court, announced police.
The day before Roberts informally resigned, the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office had requested that the state agency’s special victim’s unit look into a complaint accusing her of having sexual contact with a juvenile.
Two minors were interviewed, including one who was the alleged victim.
‘Both juveniles confirmed Roberts had sexual intercourse with one juvenile victim while employed as Mayor,’ said state police.
Roberts’ lawyer, Adam Johnson, said she was not interviewed by law enforcement officials before learning there was a warrant out for her arrest.
‘My client maintains her innocence and, as it stands, she is in fact innocent,’ stated Johnson.
The former mayor is accused of a count of third-degree rape and a count of contributing to juvenile delinquency.
Roberts posted $75,000 bond and has been released from jail.
‘We trust the public will respect her constitutional presumption of innocence which is fundamental to our system of justice,’ Johnson stated, adding that Roberts has not been charged with a crime.
‘Misty and her family are very grateful for the support they have received from their friends and neighbors and we look forward to putting this unfortunate situation behind them.’
In Louisiana, a third-degree rape conviction carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.
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