An Oklahoma teenager, initially charged as an adult with serious offenses including rape and strangulation, has been released without serving prison time, prompting outrage and a planned civil fight from one victim's family.
Jesse Mack Butler, who was 17 at the time of the alleged crimes, pleaded no contest in August 2025 to 11 counts, including attempted first-degree rape, rape by instrumentation, sexual battery, forcible oral sodomy, and domestic assault and battery by strangulation. He was granted youthful-offender status, which placed him under the supervision of the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs and mandated completion of a rehabilitation plan. Upon reaching age 19 in August 2025, the court's jurisdiction expired, and the case was dismissed by operation of law.
Rachel Bussett, an attorney representing the family of one of the victims, told Fox News Digital that the outcome was painful but not entirely unexpected for the family. "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."
Bussett stated that the family is preparing for civil litigation and is also hopeful that federal authorities will review the case. "We know that that's a long shot, but we're holding confident in the process," she added, noting that materials are reportedly being referred for review to determine if content allegedly found on Butler's phone could constitute child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and whether it was distributed.
Jeremiah Gregory, the newly elected District Attorney for Payne and Logan County, expressed his dismay with the outcome, stating that constitutional double jeopardy protections prevent a state retrial. He has contacted the appropriate federal agency to request a prosecutorial review. "Nothing has made my blood boil more," Gregory said. He also criticized assertions from Butler's defense attorney, Derek Chance, who reportedly suggested Butler was innocent and had been victimized by the case, calling such claims "insincere, untruthful and an affront to these victims and what they have endured."
Bussett also criticized the treatment of her client during the earlier prosecution, describing an encounter with the former elected district attorney as a "mock cross-examination" that left the teen feeling "absolutely attacked" when she believed she was speaking with someone who would protect her.
"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 who come forward.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Department of Justice, the former district attorney, the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs, and Butler's attorney for additional comment. Gregory stated, "I cannot undo what has already been done, but I can — and will — continue to stand as a strong voice for all victims of violent crime."