A talented young jockey, Bryson Butterfly, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his involvement in the killing of a high school student. Butterfly, a Native American from Washington State, was gaining recognition for his skills in horse racing at various tracks in Maryland, West Virginia, and Philadelphia.
The incident dates back to 2023 when Butterfly, along with two others, was apprehended in connection with the murder of 17-year-old Elias Cieslak in Baltimore County. In 2024, Butterfly pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit armed robbery and agreed to testify against his co-defendants in exchange for a reduced charge.
According to reports, Butterfly confessed that he had arranged a marijuana purchase from Cieslak, knowing that his associates, Marcus Powell and David Lofton, intended to rob him. Tragically, Cieslak was fatally shot by Powell during the attempted robbery.
Powell admitted guilt and received a life sentence with 40 years suspended, while Lofton faced trial and was also sentenced to life with 50 years suspended, with an ongoing appeal process.
In court, Butterfly, clad in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs, expressed remorse for his actions, attributing his involvement to feeling threatened by Powell, who had arrived armed at his residence. Tearfully addressing the victim’s family in the courtroom, Butterfly apologized, acknowledging his profound regret.
Despite acknowledging Butterfly’s remorse, Judge Stacy Mayer imposed the requested custodial sentence, emphasizing the need for accountability in involving Cieslak in the crime. She highlighted the tragic waste of potential in Butterfly’s actions and stressed the importance of upholding justice for the victim.
Cookie Notice: We and our partners use cookies to enhance site functionality, personalize content, analyze site usage, and deliver targeted advertisements. You can manage your cookie preferences and data sharing by clicking the designated button at the bottom of the webpage. Your use of our services signifies your consent to our cookie policy, privacy notice, and terms and conditions.