Full Breakdown
Oklahoma Teen’s Sexual-Assault Case Dismissed Amid Parental Outrage
8/9/2026, 12:23:08 AM
Case Dismissal and Youthful Offender Status
A judge formally dismissed the criminal case against Jesse Mack Butler, a 19-year-old, one day before his birthday after he completed a court-ordered rehabilitation plan at home. The dismissal follows a youthful-offender certification granted in August 2025, which allows serious juvenile offenses to be treated as a juvenile matter and ultimately erased if the offender complies. Had Butler failed to meet the plan’s requirements, the case would have reverted to adult prosecution carrying a potential 78-year sentence.
Allegations and Evidence
Butler was arrested in March 2025 after two former girlfriends, identified in court filings as L.S. and K.S., accused him of repeated sexual and physical abuse throughout 2024. L.S. alleged multiple attempted rapes, a strangulation that left her unconscious on Feb. 29 2024, and threats to silence her. K.S. reported non-consensual touching in April 2024, two separate strangulations—one captured on Butler’s phone in August 2024—and an incident where he dragged her by the neck and hair to a vehicle. The affidavit obtained by investigators includes a video showing Butler strangling K.S. until she passed out. Initially charged with ten felony counts—including attempted first-degree rape, rape by instrumentation, sexual battery, forcible oral sodomy, and domestic assault and battery by strangulation—plus a misdemeanor, Butler later entered a no-contest plea and avoided inpatient treatment.
Official Reactions
Attorney Rachel Bussett, representing the victims’ families, said her clients were led to believe the district attorney’s office promised a guilty plea and inpatient-type treatment. She quoted, “My clients always understood that there would be a guilty plea and some sort of inpatient-type treatment required, not that it was going to be no contest and home confinement,” — Rachel Bussett and added, “What has happened here with regard to how the victims were treated in this process is one of the main reasons why victims of sex crimes are reluctant to come forward,” — Rachel Bussett. Newly elected district attorney Jeremiah Gregory said he will refer the matter to federal prosecutors for review and remarked, “We understand and respect the court’s ruling that it made … but regardless, we do not believe that these victims were treated with courtesy and respect through the process.” — Jeremiah Gregory, the newly elected district attorney of Payne and Logan counties. Butler’s defense attorney Derek Chance indicated plans to seek expungement of Butler’s record.
Next Legal Steps
The victims’ parents intend to file a civil lawsuit against Butler, his family, and his attorney. Jeremiah Gregory’s statement signals a possible federal investigation, while Butler’s counsel prepares a motion for record expungement. The case highlights ongoing tensions between prosecutorial negotiations and victims’ expectations in serious juvenile sexual-assault prosecutions.