Former DeRidder, Louisiana mayor Misty Roberts has been released from prison having served a 90-day sentence, part of a suspended 10-year term, for having sex with a 16-year-old boy at a pool party. She was freed on Monday after a judge rejected prosecutors' request for a tougher punishment, prompting anger among local residents who felt the sentence was too lenient given the seriousness of the offence.

Roberts, 44, was found guilty in March of indecent behaviour and carnal knowledge of a minor, and is now a registered Tier 1 sex offender. As part of her sentence she must pay a $5,000 fine plus $300 in prosecution costs and stay away from the victim and his family. The offence occurred at a 2024 birthday party where prosecutors said she supplied alcohol and led the teenager, her son's friend, to a spare room; she was elected DeRidder's first female mayor in 2018 and resigned shortly before her August 2024 arrest.