An 18-year-old teenager, Jesse Butler, managed to avoid a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of multiple rape and assault charges, causing outrage in the local community.
Butler was apprehended on March 4 following reports of assault by two high school students, as per official documentation reviewed by local media. Initially arrested at the age of 17 and charged as an adult, his status was later modified to that of a youthful offender.
His abhorrent acts included first-degree rape, domestic assault, strangulation, attempted first-degree rape, and rape by instrumentation. Butler entered a no-contest plea to 11 counts brought against him.
Facing a potential 78-year imprisonment for his heinous crimes, a judge opted to release him without serving any jail time. Instead, Judge Susan C Worthington ordered him to engage in community service and attend counseling, according to reports from local news channel KJRH.
Hailing from Oklahoma, U.S., the teenager belongs to a “prominent” local family and secured such a lenient sentence through a plea agreement struck between the prosecution and defense teams, as detailed by FOX 25.
The families of the victims expressed disgust at the sentence, with advocates alleging that Butler’s familial prominence in his hometown of Stillwater enabled him to evade accountability. The Journal Record revealed that the perpetrator’s father previously held a key role as the director of operations for Oklahoma State University’s football team.
Following a September 2024 investigation, Butler was convicted of rape and assault following allegations made by two female students. In statements seen by KOCO, one of the girls described the impact of the ordeal, detailing the emotional and physical toll it had taken on her.
The lenient sentence triggered a wave of community outrage, with approximately 100 protesters gathering at a recent rally to demand justice. Protesters voiced their dismay over the lack of accountability and the perceived injustice faced by the victims.
Amid the uproar, the mother of one victim criticized the system for repeatedly questioning her daughter’s status as a victim while making excuses for the perpetrator in a victim impact statement, as reported by PEOPLE.
Butler’s victim recounted a harrowing experience in court, detailing how he strangled and assaulted her, threatening her life and her family’s if she spoke out. She emphasized the severity of the attack, likening it to an attempted murder that left enduring emotional scars.
Protesters congregated outside the court, condemning the light sentence and calling for the resignation of Laura Thomas, the district attorney for Payne County. Thomas, an alumna of Oklahoma State University, where Butler’s father was employed, defended the reclassification of Butler to juvenile status in compliance with state law.
The convicted teenager must successfully complete a rehabilitation program, including specialized therapy for sex offenders. Failure to comply may result in reclassification as an adult and a 10-year prison term, as outlined by Thomas’ office. Additional restrictions include a social media ban, curfew, and mandatory check-ins and counseling sessions until his 19th birthday.
Advocates have mobilized online, forming a Facebook group to advocate for justice for Butler’s victims. Despite media requests for comment, Butler’s legal representatives have remained silent on the matter.
For confidential support related to abuse, individuals can reach out to Rape Crisis England & Wales at 0808 500 2222 or through their website for online chat support.
Please note that we and our partners use cookies and other identifiers to enhance user experience on our website, analyze usage patterns, and deliver personalized advertisements. You can opt out of data sharing or sales by clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button at the bottom of the page. Your acceptance of our website and services indicates consent to our use of cookies and agreement with our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.