Parents outraged after sex assault case against their daughter’s ex is dismissed without jail time

The parents of an Oklahoma teenager who accused her former boyfriend of sexual assault and strangulation say they were misled about how his case would be resolved — and that the final outcome allowing him to bypass jail without admitting any guilt was far too lenient.

The parents of an Oklahoma teenager who accused her former boyfriend of sexual assault and strangulation say they were misled about how his case would be resolved — and that the final outcome allowing him to bypass jail without admitting any guilt was far too lenient.

The victim, identified in court documents as K.S., was in a relationship with Jesse Mack Butler that she says ended in abuse. Her parents now plan to file a civil lawsuit against Butler and his family, their attorney, Rachel Bussett, told NBC News.

Bussett said her clients agreed to Butler receiving youthful offender status, but said they were led to believe by the district attorney’s office, according to court papers, that Butler would plead guilty and receive treatment at a juvenile facility. Instead, Butler pleaded no contest and completed a rehabilitation plan at home.

A judge formally dismissed the case against Butler on Monday — one day before his 19th birthday — ruling that he had complied with the plan.

“My clients always understood that there would be a guilty plea and some sort of inpatient-type treatment required, not that it was going to be no contest and home confinement,” Bussett told NBC News in a phone call.