An Oklahoma teen accused of sexually assaulting and strangling two high school girls has avoided prison time, a result that has fueled anger in the community and prompted at least one victim’s family to prepare for a new legal battle.
“We’re moving on to the next phase, which is civil litigation,” Rachel Bussett, an attorney for the family of one of the girls involved in the case, told News Outlet.
Jesse Mack Butler, who was 17 when he was first charged as an adult, faced a sweeping list of allegations, including attempted first-degree rape, rape by instrumentation, sexual battery, forcible oral sodomy and domestic assault and battery by strangulation. He later received youthful-offender status and, in August 2025, entered no contest pleas to all 11 counts.
Rather than being sentenced to prison, Butler was placed in the custody and supervision of the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs and directed to complete a rehabilitation program. When he turned 19 at midnight on Aug. 4, the court’s authority over the case expired, and the charges were dismissed automatically under the law.
Jesse Butler shown in a baseball uniform before the criminal allegations became public. (Risin Baseball)
Bussett said the family she represents was devastated by the outcome, though they had long feared the case would end this way.
“They were sad and upset, obviously, because they didn’t want the deal to go through this way, but they weren’t surprised,” Bussett said. “They knew that it was going to happen from the beginning.”
The family is now weighing what Bussett described as two potential avenues for pursuing accountability outside the criminal case.
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Bussett said the family is preparing for civil litigation while also hoping federal authorities take a fresh look at the case.
She said her understanding is that materials are being referred for review to determine whether content allegedly found on Butler’s phone could qualify as child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, and whether it was distributed. Bussett said her client had seen material she believes was on the phone.
“We know that that’s a long shot,” Bussett said of possible federal action, “but we’re holding confident in the process.”
News Outlet has reached out to the Department of Justice for additional information on the case.
A protester raises a sign reading “Hold Jesse Responsible” during a demonstration outside the courthouse in Stillwater, Okla., on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. (Nathan J. Fish/The Oklahoman/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
Bussett also blasted her client’s treatment during the earlier prosecution, describing an encounter with the former elected district attorney that the she characterized as a “mock cross-examination.”
Bussett said the teen believed she was speaking with someone she could trust to protect her, only to feel “absolutely attacked.”
“Not only are they often not believed, but then they’re attacked by those who are supposed to help them,” Bussett said of sexual-assault victims coming forward.
News Outlet has reached out to the previous district attorney for comment.
Jesse Butler is seen sitting down on a bench, with his sister and mother standing nearby. (Amber ‘mckinzie’ Selvey)
Beyond the family’s troubling encounters with public officials, Butler’s defense attorney, Derek Chance, drew further criticism at the hearing after suggesting Butler was innocent and had been victimized by the case, according to newly elected Payne and Logan County District Attorney Jeremiah Gregory.
“Today’s hearing included disingenuous assertions from the defense regarding the defendant’s innocence, that he was the victim in this matter and that the victim’s assertions were false and had no bearing. The defense portrayed that somehow the perpetrator suffered more than these victims. What was said was insincere, untruthful and an affront to these victims and what they have endured,” Gregory said in a statement.
“Nothing has made my blood boil more.”
Gregory said constitutional double jeopardy protections bar Oklahoma from prosecuting Butler a second time, and he has contacted the appropriate federal agency to request a prosecutorial review of the case.
“I cannot undo what has already been done,” Gregory said, “but I can — and will — continue to stand as a strong voice for all victims of violent crime.”
News Outlet reached out to the Payne and Logan County District Attorney’s Office, the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs and Butler’s attorney for additional comment.
