(NewsNation) — A school district in Oklahoma received concerning phone calls following news a high school student facing multiple charges will serve no prison time.
Superintendent Tyler Bridges told NewsNation the district still does not know who was behind the calls but has not gotten any more calls with a “threatening tone.”
Jesse Butler, a high school student, pleaded no contest to 11 counts, including first-degree rape and strangulation.
He was given a 78-year sentence, which would have amounted to 10 years when served concurrently. However, he was downgraded to “youthful offender” status, and a deal made between the prosecution and defense ensured he would serve no jail time and only be sentenced to counseling.
Following the decision, there was speculation that the lighter sentence was due to Butler’s father, a former football director at Oklahoma State University, and his connections.
Police said the calls to the school district did not contain specific threats, but authorities still increased patrols out of an abundance of caution.
Police also noted that Butler does not attend school in person and is not permitted on school property or at any school events.