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Horry County Man Involved in 2023 Cross-Burning Federally Indicted
Prosecutors say Worden Evander Butler posted threats and burned a cross to intimidate his Black neighbors, facing up to 10 years in prison.
- A federal grand jury indicted Worden Butler on Wednesday, charging the 31-year-old Conway man with interfering with his Black neighbors' housing rights and using fire to commit a federal felony.
- In November 2023, authorities allege Butler ignited a cross at 1400 Corbett Drive and posted photos of the victims' home and mailbox to social media to intimidate the couple.
- Records show Butler pleaded guilty to a state second-degree harassment charge in January 2025, receiving time served, while his former girlfriend, Alexis Hartnett, also pleaded guilty to harassment in August 2025.
- Arrested in California, Butler will face arraignment on May 5 at the federal courthouse in Florence, South Carolina, where he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
- Victims Shawn and Monica Williams continue advocating for a statewide hate crime law, as South Carolina remains one of only two states without such legislation on the books.
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Horry County man involved in 2023 cross-burning federally indicted
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) -- An Horry County man who allegedly set up a burning cross in his backyard and pointed it toward his Black neighbors' home is facing a two-count federal indictment. Worden Evander Butler, 31, faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison after being indicted in U.S. District Court in Florence. [...]
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Total News Sources11
Leaning Left0Leaning Right2Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution71% Center
Bias Distribution
- 71% of the sources are Center
71% Center
C 71%
R 29%
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