An Oklahoma teenager accused of sexually assaulting and strangling two high school girls walked free without serving a day in prison, spurring public outrage as a victim’s family prepares to fight back.
"We’re moving on to the next phase, which is civil litigation," Rachel Bussett, an attorney representing the family of one girl in the case, told Fox News Digital.
Jesse Mack Butler was initially charged as an adult at 17 with counts including attempted first-degree rape, rape by instrumentation, sexual battery, forcible oral sodomy and domestic assault and battery by strangulation. But he ultimately received youthful-offender status and pleaded no contest to all 11 counts in August 2025.
Instead of being sent to prison, he was placed under the supervision of the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs and ordered to complete a rehabilitation plan. Once Butler reached age 19 at midnight on Aug. 4, the court's jurisdiction lapsed, and the case was dismissed by operation of law.
For the family she represents, Bussett said, the outcome was painful but hardly unexpected.
"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 may now have two possible paths forward.
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."
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Department of Justice for additional information on the case.
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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."
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"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.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the previous district attorney for comment.
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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.
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"Nothing has made my blood boil more."
WATCH: Police bodycam shows arrest of Oklahoma teen Jesse Butler
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."
Fox News Digital 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.
