A teenager in the United States, convicted of multiple violent rapes and assaults, has been allowed to walk free from court, sparking fury and protests within his local community.
A Shocking Outcome for Violent Crimes
Jesse Butler, 18, from Stillwater, Oklahoma, pleaded no contest to 11 criminal counts, including first-degree rape, attempted rape, and domestic assault and battery by strangulation. The charges stemmed from a September 2024 investigation, initiated after two female secondary school students came forward with disturbing allegations.
Despite the severity of the offences, which could have seen him imprisoned for up to 78 years, Judge Susan C Worthington handed down a sentence that included no jail time. Instead, Butler was ordered to perform community service and attend counselling.
Community Fury and Allegations of Privilege
The decision has been met with widespread outrage. The victims' families expressed their disgust, with advocates suggesting Butler's lenient sentence was a result of his family's prominent status in the local area. His father was formerly the director of operations for the Oklahoma State University football team.
This perceived injustice prompted around 100 protesters to rally, demanding accountability. One protestor, Adelyn Smith, called the sentence "ridiculous," highlighting the minimal punishment of 150 hours of community service for such grave crimes.
The Victims' Harrowing Ordeal
Victim impact statements revealed the brutal nature of the attacks. One victim detailed how Butler strangled her and recorded himself raping her while she was unconscious. She told the court he then threatened to kill her or her family if she spoke out.
"What happened to me wasn't only abuse or strangulation - it was nearly attempted murder," she stated. "Thirty more seconds and this would not be my statement. It would be my mother's because I would not have survived."
The mother of one victim criticised the system, stating her daughter "had to prove she was the victim, over and over again, while the system made excuse after excuse for the person who hurt her."
The Payne County District Attorney's office defended the outcome, stating Butler had the right under Oklahoma law to seek reclassification as a youthful offender. They noted that should he fail to complete his rehabilitation plan, which includes aggressive therapy, he could face a 10-year adult prison sentence. He is also subject to a curfew, social media ban, and daily check-ins.
