Editor’s Note: This story contains discussions of child abuse that may be disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. If you suspect a child is being abused, find out how to report it in your state here. To connect with a counselor, you can call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4253.
(NewsNation) — An Oklahoma man facing nearly eight decades in prison for the sexual and physical abuse of two teenagers is instead walking free.
18-year-old Jesse Butler admitted to raping two former girlfriends when he was still a minor. He pleaded no contest to 10 felony charges.
Butler was initially charged as an adult, but in a turn of events, that status was reverted to being considered a so-called youthful offender because it happened while he was under the age of 18. That means, in spite of his 78-year prison sentence, he is walking free.
Butler will still have to complete community service and counseling. But by his next birthday, he could have his entire criminal record expunged, meaning he will never have to register as a sex offender.
Tulsa, Oklahoma, attorney James Wirth weighed in on the case during “NewsNation Now,” saying it’s possible Butler will not serve any time in prison.
“There are a lot of misconceptions about how the system works. Anytime we’re talking about charging a minor of a crime when they were a minor at the time they committed it, there are protections for that individual as well as protections for the victim and the public at large.”
Protests have erupted as people are outraged over the lack of a sentence.
“We don’t necessarily know why, but this occurred back in July, way before there was any outrage,” Wirth said. “There was an agreement between the prosecutor and the defense that was accepted by the judge … that this defendant should be treated as a youthful offender.”