17 (18) and year older given slap on the wrist after violent sexual assaults and rape

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Newly released bodycam footage shows the arrest of an Oklahoma teen accused of violent sexual assaults — who received a slap on the wrist and avoided nearly 80 years behind bars thanks to Oklahoma’s youthful offender law.

Jesse Mack Butler, 18, avoided jail time last month despite a series of violent attacks on two girls at Stillwater High School in 2024, including a choking incident so severe the victim’s doctor said she was lucky to be alive, according to Oklahoma Watch.

Butler, who was 17 when he was arrested in March, pleaded no contest to 11 counts against him, including first-degree rape, strangulation and violation of a protective order.

He was initially charged as an adult, but his status was downgraded to “youthful offender” because the incidents occurred before he was 18, leaving local parents fuming as he avoided jail time, KOCO reported.

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“Right now, you do have to come with us, and I do have to put you in handcuffs,” the officer calmly tells Butler. “You have to put him in handcuffs?” his mother then questions, sounding concerned. His mother can be heard throughout the video reassuring her son, who appeared to be on the verge of tears, telling him, “I’ll get you out.” “All right, stay silent. Rick knows about this, Candy’s on this, Dad’s on his way. We’re coming to get you, OK? Stay strong, OK? Say your prayers,” she said.

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One of the victims, identified as “K.S.,” leveled credible sexual assault allegations against Butler while at school, including that he raped her after recording himself strangling her to unconsciousness, according to Oklahoma Watch. The other young woman, “L.S.,” reported being choked so severely by Butler that her doctor said she was lucky to be alive.

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