BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE AUTAUGA NEWS
Top Photo: Butler’s original booking mugshot into Autauga County Metro Jail.
A Greenville man was today sentenced to eight consecutive life sentences for crimes he committed in Autauga County against two teenage girls in November of 2022.
Michael Jerome Butler was before Circuit Court Judge Joy Booth this morning for sentencing in Autauga County, where he had to face the women he kidnapped, robbed, tortured and brutally sexually assaulted. The two young women were kidnapped from a Prattville Walgreens store, robbed and later subjected to vicious sexual assault, threats of death and multiple heinous acts.
Both girls gave emotional impact statements speaking directly to Butler before Judge Booth handed down Butler’s sentence. Judge Booth also said she is classifying him as a violent sexual predator.
Also in the courtroom were family members and friends of the girls, over a dozen Prattville police officers, Chief Mark Thompson, and investigators who worked on this case. As the girls gave their statements, the officers and court officers surrounded them offering support, while other officers surrounded Butler.
Both girls said that Butler meant to destroy them on that awful day, but it was important for him to know he failed. He was outsmarted by both of them, and while they carry the nightmares, he did not win. During the course of the investigation, the young ladies worked closely with investigators, never wavering in their determination to testify or pursue all possible charges against their attacker.
One of the girls told Butler, “I truly believe prayer is why I am alive today. My life changed forever,” but she continued that her experiences also made her stronger.
The two girls had gone together to Walgreens to purchase a birthday card for a favorite teacher. Butler approached them, holding a gun to the head of one and forcing both into their vehicle. As he held them at gunpoint, he said that the bullets in his gun had their names on them. The girls said that as they began to cry, he would laugh hysterically, and said he wanted to be famous like other serial killers. He said he hoped a movie would be made about him.
In court one of the girls said she is not afraid to speak Butler’s name, because he was outsmarted. He will remain shackled and she will be free. “You have no power over me.”
Butler still has many other charges to face after today, including murder, from what authorities say was a crime spree that began in Autauga, but spread to other victims in north Alabama where a woman was murdered, and a home invasion in Georgia.
Multiple jurisdictions, including Autauga County, worked together to track down Butler, who was eventually stopped after a high-speed pursuit that ended in a crash. Butler fled on foot but was taken into custody by Jefferson County officials. A state law enforcement alert had been sent out prior to Butler being located.
Prattville Police sent a team to retrieve him and bring him back to Autauga County to face his crimes locally.
However, District Attorney CJ Robinson said Butler’s crime did not stop, even while in custody. He was charged with promoting prison contraband while in Autauga County Metro Jail.
“Mr. Butler is literally the best example I have seen of a career criminal. He cannot be rehabilitated,” Robinson said.
He said a sad part of this story is that it was completely avoidable, had Butler served full sentences for his earlier crimes.
“I think we have to acknowledge how we got here. It is a nauseating reality that this case was avoidable. (Butler) was in prison, locked up, but our state legislators bought into a prison reform bill.”
That bill allowed for the early release of many criminals, and the case in Autauga County this morning is just one incident that could have been avoided, Robinson stressed.
“Do you feel safer today? I do not,” Robinson said. “I thank God our legislators today are trying to fix what was done before.”
In closing, Robinson said that when people say monsters do not exist, that is a false statement. “Monsters do exist and he (Butler) is standing right there,” Robinson said pointing to Butler. “But superheroes are real and they are the men and women in this room. Those two ladies are more than just survivors, they are superheroes.”
Chief Assistant District Attorney Amanda Johnson said in her 16 years of experience with courts, she has never seen a more heartbreaking case than what the young girls went through in 2022.
“It was so violent, but these two ladies are here today. I am thankful they refused to be victims and for the courage they have shown.”
Butler, represented in court by Attorney Tray Richardson, was given a chance to address the court.
Richardson said that Butler admitted he was intoxicated with drugs on the day of his attack on the girls. He said that Butler agreed to a plea agreement to avoid a trial, because he did not want to put the girls through reliving the trauma. Prior to November 2022, Butler had not been found guilty of violent crimes.
As for Butler, he said at the time of the crimes, “I was out of my mind. I think about this every day. It bothers me. I am sorry.” He went on to say that he comes from a good family and has sisters. “I chose wrong, I chose drugs. I’m sorry.”
Judge Booth addressed both girls, saying she admires their bravery and strength for what they did in court.
“I am very impressed with both of you. I hope your story brings strength and enlightenment to others.”
She then told Butler that he will spend the rest of his life in prison, without his son or his family. “Every day you have to think about what happened. The burden is on you.”
District Attorney CJ Robinson has been a vocal opponent to prison reform and has used Butler’s criminal history to paint a picture of what can happen when inmates are released early without the supervision necessary to track them and maintain public safety. “I am so proud of the work of the Prattville Police Department in spearheading the multi-agency efforts to apprehend this evil soul. While Chief Thompson’s officers did an amazing job, the true heroes are the two young women who lived through every parent’s worst nightmare. Neither girl ever lost her will to survive. They are not victims, they are survivors. I have spent time with both girls and their families, and I leave every meeting with a tear in my eye and inspired to keep fighting. Fighting for justice when people are victimized and fighting for policies which aim to protect us all.”
