Michael Jerome Butler, a resident of Greenville, Alabama, has been involved in a series of violent crimes. He was accused of multiple crimes in Autauga County, including kidnapping and rape. He also faced a murder charge in St. Clair County, Alabama. The victim was identified as Victoria Ann Malet, 54, of Lincoln, Alabama.
Butler was taken into custody in Jefferson County after a high-speed pursuit. He was later booked in the Autauga Metro Jail. He is being held without bond on multiple local charges including Robbery 1st degree, Rape 1st degree – 2 counts, Sodomy 1st degree – 2 counts, Sexual Torture, Sexual abuse 1st degree – 2 counts, and Kidnapping 1st degree- 2 counts.
In June 2024, Butler received eight consecutive life sentences for his crimes committed in 2022. These crimes included the kidnapping, rape, and sodomy of two 17-year-old girls in Prattville, Alabama.
Michael Jerome Butler. Autographed Letter, Signed. Handwritten, Commercial #10 (4.125 × 9.5 envelope). Birmingham, AL. July 19, 2024. Content unknown. SEALED.
Michael Jerome Butler, from Greenville, Alabama, has been involved in a series of serious criminal activities. Here’s a summary of the charges and cases against him:
Kidnapping and Rape: Butler was accused of kidnapping and raping two young women in Prattville, Alabama.
Murder: He also faces a murder charge for the death of Victoria Ann Malet, 54, of Lincoln, Alabama, who was found with gunshot wounds in St. Clair County.
Crime Spree: Authorities have described his actions as a “crime spree” across Alabama and Georgia, with more charges potentially forthcoming.
No Bond: Initially granted bond, it was revoked, and he remains in Autauga Metro Jail with no bond on multiple charges.
Sentencing: As of June 14, 2024, Butler received eight consecutive life sentences for his crimes, including the kidnapping, rape, and sodomy of the two 17-year-old girls in Prattville.
The timeline of Butler’s crime spree is as follows:
November 3, 2022: The spree began with the carjacking and abduction of two 17-year-old girls from a Prattville Walgreens. Butler took them to a remote location and sexually assaulted them at gunpoint.
November 5, 2022: Butler was involved in a high-speed pursuit in Autauga County, Alabama, after being identified as the suspect in the Prattville abductions.
November 6, 2022: The body of 54-year-old Victoria Malet was found off Cook Springs Road in Pell City, St. Clair County. She had been shot multiple times.
Capture: Butler was captured after Leeds police officers, having received a lookout bulletin, set up surveillance on Interstate 20. A high-speed chase ensued when Butler refused to stop.
April 8, 2024: Butler pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree kidnapping, rape, sodomy, robbery, and sexual torture.
June 14, 2024: Butler received eight consecutive life sentences for his crimes.
Butler managed to evade capture during his crime spree through a combination of factors:
Surveillance Evasion: He was able to avoid initial detection, despite surveillance video from a gas station that later helped law enforcement identify him.
Interstate Travel: After committing crimes in Autauga County, he traveled to the Atlanta area where he was involved in additional criminal activities, including an armed home invasion, shooting, robbery, and other crimes.
Vehicle Use: He used a vehicle to move quickly between locations, which was evident when investigators tracked him leaving the area in the victims’ car.
High-Speed Pursuit: His capture involved a high-speed pursuit in north Alabama. Butler reportedly wrecked the vehicle during the chase, which led to a short foot pursuit before he was apprehended.
These actions demonstrate how Butler used mobility and the element of surprise to continue his crime spree across state lines, ultimately delaying his capture.
There were several red flags and signs in Butler’s past that indicated a potential risk for future criminal behavior:
Criminal History: Butler had a criminal history dating back to 2006, with numerous arrests for property crimes.
Previous Convictions: He had at least six felony convictions, all of which involved crimes occurring in Butler County.
Early Release: Despite being sentenced to 10 years in prison for theft in 2017, Butler was released early.
Parole Issues: There were issues with the Pardons and Parole System, as Butler was listed as incarcerated when he was out of jail. He also had a history of failing to appear in court on previous arrests.
Butler’s early release from prison was a result of the prison reform policies implemented in Alabama. Here are the key circumstances surrounding his early release:
Prison Reform: In 2016, Alabama initiated a prison reform experiment aimed at reducing the prison population. This reform led to the early release of many inmates, including those with prior convictions.
Lack of Supervision: Butler was released early without the supervision necessary to track him and maintain public safety. This included the absence of a required ankle monitor, which would have allowed authorities to monitor his whereabouts.
Failure to Appear: After his release, Butler refused to appear for supervision, which was a condition of his release.
Criminal Justice System Failures: The early release of Butler without proper monitoring highlighted failures in the criminal justice system. The district attorney used Butler’s case to illustrate the consequences of such policies.
These factors
contributed to Butler’s ability to commit further crimes
post-release, leading to a serious crime spree that affected multiple
victims across different jurisdictions. The case has been cited as an
example of the potential dangers associated with early inmate release
without adequate supervision and accountability measures.
VIDEO: a Alabama Convicted Inmate Michael Butler Is Sentenced To 8 Life Terms For Unspeakable Crimes! | https://youtu.be/pEkRUW8Jegg
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