An Oklahoma teenager convicted of sexually assaulting two high school classmates has avoided prison under a controversial plea agreement approved by Special Judge Susan Worthington, sparking outrage among parents, lawmakers and community members.
Jesse Mack Butler, 18, faced nearly 80 years behind bars before the deal reduced his sentence to a year of rehabilitation, daily check-ins and community service under the supervision of the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs.
Butler was initially charged as an adult in February 2024 with 10 felony counts, including two counts of attempted rape, three counts of rape by instrumentation, one count of sexual battery, one count of forcible oral sodomy and three counts of domestic assault and battery.
The offenses occurred while Butler was 17, according to The O’Colly.
He pleaded not guilty at first but later changed his plea to no contest after Judge Worthington approved his reclassification as a youthful offender during a July 24 hearing.
The judge, appointed to District 9 in 2015, denied Butler’s request to be certified and tried as a juvenile but allowed prosecutors’ plan to reclassify him.
This status emphasizes rehabilitation and reduces the severity of punishment compared with adult sentencing.
On Aug. 25, Butler pleaded no contest to the 10 original counts and an additional count for violating a protective order.
While the court technically sentenced him to 78 years, following the rehabilitation plan allows him to avoid incarceration entirely.
The program, crafted by the Office of Juvenile Affairs and approved by Worthington, requires Butler to complete 150 hours of community service, attend weekly counseling sessions, maintain a curfew, avoid social media and participate in daily check-ins until he turns 19.
According to NewsNation, compliance could result in all charges being removed from his record and no appearance on a state sex offender registry.
Victims’ families expressed shock and anger.
One mother called the outcome “appalling” and said it fails to hold Butler accountable while endangering future victims.
“It’s a complete injustice to these girls… You are potentially putting other women at risk by not holding him accountable,” she said, according to the New York Post.
Another parent stressed that the sentence does not reflect the severity of the crimes or the trauma inflicted.
Court records detail repeated abuse.
One victim said Butler raped her multiple times over a three-month relationship and strangled her when she resisted.
The second victim described similar attacks, including a recorded incident recovered from Butler’s phone.
Both reported threats to kill them or their families if they revealed the assaults.
Oklahoma State Rep. Justin “JJ” Humphrey (R-Choctaw) denounced the plea on NewsNation, calling it a “complete miscarriage of justice” and questioning the judge’s approval.
“If that doesn’t fire you up, there’s something wrong… The laws are there, but what do you do when they don’t follow them?” he said.
Worthington has faced prior scrutiny for controversial rulings, including granting bond to a murder suspect, prompting public criticism and calls for her disbarment, according to KFOR.
Some community members question her approach to high-profile cases, heightening concern over Butler’s plea.
Butler’s next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 8 in Payne County, when officials will review his compliance with the rehabilitation plan and determine whether he will remain free of prison time.
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