A high-profile case against an Oklahoma teen accused of a violent string of rape and strangulation attacks has been dismissed by a judge, less than a year after he was convicted of raping two girls he had dated when they were both 16. Jesse Mack Butler, 19, had his case officially thrown out during a final hearing on Monday.
Court documents detailed allegations of severe abuse. One victim, identified only as LS, told investigators Butler repeatedly raped or attempted to rape her. She stated that Butler physically assaulted her whenever she refused sex, including one attack in which he allegedly strangled her until she lost consciousness. This incident left her so seriously injured that she later required neck surgery, resulting in a two-inch scar. Another victim reported similar assaults, including being strangled to the point of unconsciousness, and stated that Butler recorded one such assault on his cellphone.
Butler was 17 at the time of the crimes. His attorney secured youthful offender status for him, which allowed him to avoid prison time. His sentence included a rehabilitation program with weekly counseling, a curfew, daily check-ins, a social media ban, and 150 hours of community service. On Monday, Payne County District Judge Michael Kulling dismissed the case, which concluded just before Butler's 19th birthday.
According to victim's family attorney Rachel Bussett, the victims' families are devastated by the outcome but had anticipated it given the legal framework. Bussett explained that under Oklahoma law, Butler's supervision ends at age 19, and as the Office of Juvenile Affairs determined he had completed all requirements, the court had no authority to extend it. "Judges aren’t supposed to make the law. They’re supposed to interpret the law," Bussett told KOCO News, adding that "It’s the legislature’s job to make the law. If you don’t like it, vote for new legislators."
Butler's attorney, Derek Chance, called it a "big day" for his client and indicated plans to seek a full expungement of Butler's record. He stated that during the proceedings, they maintained their innocence and explained that their plea was for risk management. This assertion was met with strong criticism from the newly sworn-in Payne County District Attorney Jeremiah Gregory, who called Chance's statement a "disingenuous sack of garbage" and an "affront to these victims."
Bussett also accused Chance of retraumatizing the victims by suggesting Butler was the victim and that video evidence supported his claims of consent, which she strongly refuted, noting that "you cannot consent to strangulation."
Following the dismissal, the victims' families plan to pursue civil litigation against Stillwater High School, the Butler family, and the City of Stillwater, unless other legal resolutions are reached. DA Gregory stated that while the double jeopardy clause prohibits the state from prosecuting Butler again, his office would refer the case to the appropriate federal agency for review and potential prosecution, though federal authorities are not guaranteed to pursue charges.
Butler initially pleaded not guilty to 10 felony charges, including rape by instrumentation, attempted rape, domestic assault and battery by strangulation, sexual battery, and forcible oral sodomy. After securing youthful offender status, he changed his plea to 'no contest.' A probation review hearing in December 2025 found Butler had complied with his plea agreement. Protests were held outside the courthouse last year, with signs reading "Hold Jesse Responsible" and "Dirty Judge Define Justice."