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Wealthy Teen Who Raped And Strangled Two Girls Is Set Free By Judge, Sparking Outrage In The Community

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After walking out of court, 18-year-old Jesse Butler was ordered to complete counseling services
Warning: This article includes discussion of sexual assault and rape that some readers may find distressing. Please read with care.Residents in an Oklahoma city are furious after a teenager from a well-known family left court without prison time, even though he faced nearly 80 years for raping and strangling two high school students. The decision has triggered protests and a wave of community anger.Stillwater teen Jesse Butler, 18, was found guilty on 10 criminal counts tied to the violent assaults of two other teenagers. He was arrested in March, when he was 17, and the case quickly became a flashpoint for concerns about accountability and fairness.

Although prosecutors first pursued the case in adult court, the court later ruled that Butler would be treated as a youthful offender. That change meant he no longer faced a potential 78-year sentence behind bars.Butler entered a no contest plea to the rape and assault charges rather than admitting guilt. The judge sentenced him to community service and mandated counseling, a punishment many observers believe falls far short of justice.

The ruling has enraged Stillwater residents and the victims’ families. They argue Butler benefited from lenient treatment because of his family’s prominence and wealth, and they say the outcome sends the wrong message to survivors.

Stillwater Police Department
The 18-year-old’s father previously held a high-profile role with Oklahoma State University’s football program, serving as director of operations, according to reporting from PEOPLE.On November 5, the day of sentencing, crowds gathered outside the Payne County Courthouse. Many feared Butler would avoid serious punishment despite being convicted of raping and strangling two high school girls.When word spread that he would not serve prison time, frustration boiled over. Protester Tori Gray told KOKH: “The justice system here in Stillwater has allowed a violent sex offender to walk free. Not only is he currently free and loose on the streets.”

“He’s a virtual student at Stillwater Public Schools as a senior, and after he finishes having the slap on the wrist, he doesn’t even have to register as a sex offender.”The charges—neither admitted nor denied under his no contest plea—stem from a September 2024 investigation that began when two classmates came forward with allegations of sexual violence. Their bravery in reporting set the case in motion.Victim impact statements submitted to the court described the severity of the abuse. One survivor wrote: “I’ve had to explain bruises, explain silence, explain why I started isolating from people who love me.”

Butler’s father is the former operations director of OSU’s football teamCRobertson/Getty Images

 

 

“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 protester in the large crowd, Adelyn Smith, said it felt “terrible” to watch Butler walk away without prison time and called the outcome deeply discouraging for survivors.She added: “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.”

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