Butler Pleads Guilty to Two Counts of Attempted Capital Sexual Battery

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Matthew Butler has pleaded guilty to two counts of Attempted Capital Sexual Battery. Pursuant to the plea agreement, the Honorable Anthony Salem during an Oct. 6, 2021, hearing sentenced Butler to 20 years in Florida State Prison followed by 20 years of sex offender probation, which includes being designated a sexual predator.

The two counts of Attempted Capital Sexual Battery against Butler, a former officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, are against two separate victims spanning two different timeframes. A third charge involving a third victim was resolved and incorporated into the plea agreement.

The first count was against a minor victim in which the crimes took place over multiple years while Butler served in a custodial role. During this timeframe, Butler isolated the victim and committed multiple sexual acts against them, including penile and digital penetration.

The second count was against a minor victim in which Butler served in a coaching capacity as an authority figure to the victim. In this instance, Butler isolated the victim and had forced penile vaginal penetration.

For the first charge, a witness came forward after the victim alerted them about the sexual battery. An investigation, including an interview by the Child Protection Team, corroborated the victim’s account of the crimes and Butler was subsequently arrested. During the course of the investigation, the additional victims were identified.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Adair Newman and Marleigh Gulliford.