Former DeRidder Mayor Misty Roberts Clanton, 42, was arrested for third-degree rape and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles by the Louisiana State Police on Thursday.

On July 26, the LSP Special Victim’s Unit received a request from the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office to investigate a complaint against Clanton of sexual relations with a juvenile. During the investigation, LSP-SVU interviewed two juveniles; both confirmed Clanton had sexual intercourse with one of the juveniles while she was still mayor.

Clanton submitted her resignation letter to the council around noon on Saturday, July 27. Just two days earlier, on Thursday, she had sent a letter to Council Clerk Glenna Luther, announcing an unexpected two-week leave and designating Fire Chief Ken Harlow as the acting mayor during her absence.

Following the interviews, an arrest warrant for Clanton was obtained from the Beauregard Parish 36th Judicial District Court.

On Thursday, Roberts turned herself in, and was booked into the Beauregard Parish Detention Center on the charges of third-degree rape and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles

Her bond is set at $75,000.

Adam Johnson, Clanton’s attorney, said she learned Wednesday night of a warrant, “despite not being contacted to be interviewed prior to investigators obtaining the warrant.”

“My client maintains her innocence and, as it stands, she is in fact innocent,” Johnson said. “She has not been charged with a crime and/or convicted of any crime. And we trust the public will respect her constitutional presumption of innocence which is fundamental to our system of justice. 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.