Oklahoma teen Jesse Butler arrest video released amid sentence outrage

A newly released body camera video shows a teen being arrested Those accused of violent sexual assault In a case that is now drawing backlash after he did not receive prison time under Oklahoma’s juvenile offender law.

The teenager, Jesse Butler, was 17 years old when he was arrested. He later pleaded no contest to multiple felony charges, including attempted first-degree rape, sexual battery, and assault by strangulation.

His 78-year-old sentence was fully suspended under the Juvenile Act, allowing him to remain free if he meets court-ordered rehabilitation conditions. The victims’ families publicly criticized the outcome. The mother of one of the victims said Coco The justice system “failed” her daughter.

“As a mother, I never thought I would have to watch my daughter fight this kind of battle, where she had to prove that she was the victim, over and over again, while the system made excuse after excuse for the person who hurt her.”

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Officers move in to arrest 17-year-old Jesse Butler as his mother looks on. (Stillwater Police Department)

Newly released video shows Butler’s apparently calm arrest House in Stillwater. His mother was seen walking to the front door and telling the officers: “We are ready to tell our story too,” before knocking on her door and calling for him to open the door.

In the video, officers informed Butler that there was a warrant for his arrest and that he would be transported to the Stillwater Police Department for processing.

Butler, who appeared to be holding back tears, listened quietly as the officers explained the purpose of their visit.

One of the officers said, “Yes, we’re here, and obviously we’re going to put you under arrest, there’s a warrant for your arrest… We’re going to take you to jail… I have to handcuff you, so turn around.”

“Do you have to put him in handcuffs?” Butler’s mother asked.

The officer continued and told the teen, “You shouldn’t be there too long,” adding, “There’s just a process for paperwork and stuff.”

Butler’s mother can be heard throughout the clip reassuring her son and mentioning family members and contacts already involved in his case.

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Police body camera video shows officers placing Jesse Butler in handcuffs during his arrest. Butler, a high school student in a violent sexual assault case, was later sentenced as a youthful offender — to avoid prison time. (Stillwater Police Department)

“I’ll get you out,” she says. “Okay, stay quiet. Rick knows about this, Candy’s on this, and Daddy’s on his way. We’re coming to get you, okay? Stay strong. Pray for you.”

Jesse Butler’s father, Mac Butler, is the former director of football operations at Oklahoma State University, located in Stillwater.

The exchange remained calm throughout. The officers did not raise their voices, and Butler appeared cooperative as he was handcuffed and escorted outside. An officer explained that Butler was taken to… stillwater Police Department, Not the county jail, to avoid confusion about its location.

“A horrific experience for a child,” Butler’s mother said as officers escorted him to the police car. “Later, Jess, see you in a bit.”

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Body camera video captures the moment Jesse Butler is restrained by police while his mother watches nearby. (Stillwater Police Department)

The Stillwater Police Department said officers were first notified on Sept. 12, 2024, of the incidents that reportedly occurred earlier that year.

“A full investigation began the next day which led to SPD referring the case to the Payne County Prosecutor’s Office, where it was reviewed and charges were filed,” the department said in a statement.

At the time, Butler was a student in Stillwater Public Schools. Court records obtained by KOCO include numerous victim emotional impact statements describing constant fear and trauma.

“You not only strangled me with your hands, you strangled my voice, my joy, and my ability to feel safe in my body,” one victim wrote.

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Jesse Butler was photographed in a baseball uniform before the criminal charges came to light. (ricin baseball)

The police affidavit reviewed by Fox News details the brutality, including a friend who said she was repeatedly raped and strangled if she refused, and in one case a doctor warned she would have died if the strangulation had continued for seconds longer.

The Payne County Prosecutor’s Office said the decision to handle the case under Oklahoma’s young offender law was based on Butler being 17 at the time of the alleged crimes. The office stressed that the statute “allows the court to continue monitoring until the defendant’s 19th birthday and gives him an opportunity for rehabilitation while continuing to hold him accountable.”

The prosecutor’s office also wrote in its statement that the law “does not erase crimes or reduce their impact.”

Rep. Justin “JJ” Humphrey (R-Oklahoma) called the verdict “unacceptable” and announced plans to petition for grand jury review.

“If it doesn’t set you on fire, your wood will be wet,” Humphrey told Fox News Digital. “You know what I mean? I got a bad deal. That’s what lit a fire in me.”

Court documents show Butler remains bound by the Aug. 25, 2025, sentence, provided he fully complies with a state-supervised rehabilitation plan.

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While Butler was sentenced to 78 years in prison, the sentence was suspended under Oklahoma’s young offender program, meaning he would only serve prison time if he violated the terms of the program.

He remains under the supervision of the Office of Juvenile Affairs until his 19th birthday, undergoing counseling, therapy, more than 100 hours of community service, a curfew, no social media, daily check-ins and weekly counseling, according to documents obtained by Fox News.

If Butler meets the terms of the program and avoids further legal trouble, he can stay out of prison, although any violation could result in the full sentence being served.

His next hearing is scheduled for December 8 in Payne County District Court.

Fox News’ Brooke Taylor contributed to this report.

Stephenie Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and immigrant crimes. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.