Nationwide — Jesse Butler, an 18-year-old from Stillwater, Oklahoma, avoided decades behind bars after admitting to raping and assaulting two teenage girls. Despite facing up to 78 years in prison, a judge sentenced him to community service and counseling instead.
Butler was arrested in March 2024 after two high school students accused him of multiple violent attacks, according to People. He was 17 at the time but initially charged as an adult. Later, the court reclassified him as a youthful offender, allowing him to avoid prison under a plea deal.
Court documents show Butler pleaded no contest to 11 charges, including first-degree rape, attempted rape, domestic assault by strangulation, and rape by instrumentation. Prosecutors and defense attorneys agreed to the lenient sentence, which the judge approved in August.
The decision sparked outrage across Stillwater, where many believe Butler’s family connections played a role. His father previously worked as the director of operations for Oklahoma State University’s football team. Victims’ advocates said the ruling sent the wrong message to survivors of sexual violence.
In emotional statements, one victim described the trauma she endured: “You didn’t just strangle me with your hands, you strangled my voice, my joy, my ability to feel safe in my own body.” Another girl’s mother said her daughter had to “prove she was the victim over and over” while adults excused Butler’s actions.
Hundreds of residents later gathered in protest, demanding accountability. “Almost losing your life, having a video being recorded of you almost losing your life and your assaulter being able to just walk with no punishment, a slap on the wrist and 150 hours of community service. That’s just ridiculous,” said protester Adelyn Smith.
Advocates have since formed a Facebook group to support the victims and push for a review of the case. Many are calling for stricter sentencing laws for sexual assault cases involving minors.