An Oklahoma teenager accused of sexually assaulting and strangling two high school girls has completed a court-approved rehabilitation plan after pleading no contest to 11 felony counts, court records show.
On Aug. 25, 2025, Jesse Mack Butler, then 17, pleaded no contest to all charges, including two counts of attempted first-degree rape, three counts of rape by instrumentation, sexual battery, forcible oral sodomy, two counts of domestic assault and battery by strangulation, one count of domestic assault and battery, and an additional charge of violating a protective order. The judge found that Butler entered the pleas knowingly and voluntarily, with a factual basis for the charges confirmed in court documents.
Butler was initially charged as an adult in March 2025 in Payne County. His attorneys had sought juvenile certification or youthful offender status. The court denied the juvenile request but approved youthful offender status following an agreement between prosecutors and the defense. The sentence included terms of up to 10 years on several counts, but Butler was placed under the supervision of the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs instead of serving prison time.
Court records indicate compliance with the rehabilitation plan. Review hearings in December 2025 and April 2026 noted Butler remained in compliance with the terms of his supervision. At his final review hearing on Aug. 3, 2026, prosecutors announced they would not seek to transfer him into adult custody, effectively concluding the case under the youthful offender program.
The decision has drawn scrutiny from local officials. Payne County District Attorney Laura Austin Thomas has publicly criticized the outcome, stating in a statement that the case "made my blood boil" and calling for federal review. Thomas did not respond to requests for further comment.
Butler’s legal team has not publicly commented on the case. His rehabilitation plan details were not disclosed in court filings. The Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs declined to provide specifics about the program’s requirements or Butler’s progress, citing confidentiality rules for juvenile records.
The case has prompted broader discussions about juvenile sentencing and rehabilitation programs in Oklahoma. Critics argue that the outcome underscores gaps in accountability for violent juvenile offenders, while supporters of the youthful offender program contend that rehabilitation-focused approaches can reduce recidivism and provide long-term benefits for young offenders.
Oklahoma’s youthful offender statute allows courts to sentence juveniles to rehabilitation programs rather than adult prison, provided certain criteria are met, including the offender’s age at the time of the offense and the nature of the crimes. The program typically involves court-monitored supervision, counseling, and compliance with specific conditions, such as educational or vocational training.
The Payne County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Butler was not incarcerated during the rehabilitation period. Officials stated that the case was handled in accordance with state juvenile justice guidelines and court orders.