A talented young jockey, Bryson Butterfly, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his involvement in the tragic death of a high school student. Butterfly, a Native American from Washington State, was gaining recognition in the horse racing world at various tracks in Maryland, West Virginia, and Philadelphia.
In 2023, Butterfly was arrested along with two others for the murder of 17-year-old Elias Cieslak, who was fatally shot in Baltimore County. In 2024, Butterfly pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit armed robbery and agreed to testify against his co-defendants in exchange for a reduced charge.
According to reports, Butterfly confessed to arranging a marijuana purchase from Cieslak, knowing that Marcus Powell and David Lofton intended to rob him. Tragically, Cieslak was shot and killed by Powell during the robbery attempt.
Powell pleaded guilty and received a life sentence with 40 years suspended, while Lofton faced trial and was also sentenced to life imprisonment with 50 years suspended, with an appeal pending.
During the court proceedings, Butterfly, dressed in an orange jumpsuit and shackled, tearfully explained that he participated out of fear after Powell arrived at his home armed. He expressed deep remorse to the victim’s family, stating, “I’m so sorry. Words can’t explain.”
Although Judge Stacy Mayer acknowledged Butterfly’s remorse, she imposed the requested custodial sentence, emphasizing the need for accountability in the tragic event. She highlighted the importance of holding Butterfly responsible for his role in Cieslak’s death, stating that such actions could not be overlooked by the court.
