South Carolina Man Accused of Burning Cross to Intimidate Black Neighbors Faces Federal Charges

A South Carolina man was indicted on charges of trying to intimidate a Black family by burning a cross. On April 22, a federal grand jury handed him a two-count indictment on charges of interfering with the housing rights of his neighbor and using fire to commit a federal felony.

The man, identified as Worden Evander Butler, 31, made several posts on Facebook on November 24, 2023, about the Black family living next door. Prosecutors said that in one of those posts, he wrote that he would give “his racist neighbors…a good scare for the health. With a cross on the lawn.”

According to the indictment by the U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) in South Carolina, Butler also posted photos of the Black family’s home, vehicles, and mailbox on social media. Prosecutors said Butler then set up a cross in his backyard and set it on fire, according to prosecutors.

U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina said in a statement, “Every family in America has a right to feel safe in their own homes. Defendant Butler’s actions threatened this fundamental right. This office will continue to protect South Carolinians' fundamental rights.”

Buttler was arrested in California and is set to be arraigned in South Carolina on May 5. His arraignment will take place at the McMillan Federal Building in Florence. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.

He made an initial appearance on April 22 in the Eastern District of California.

FBI Columbia Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jose Charriez said of the case, “Racial animosity has no place in our community. This indictment reflects the serious nature of the alleged crimes and our dedication to ensuring the victims see a just resolution.”

The case was investigated by the Horry County Police Department and the FBI Columbia Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elle E. Klein is prosecuting the case.

Following his indictment, Monica Williams, a victim in the case, said, “We’re still broken in a lot of ways, but we are just humbled, excited, we are moved.”

She added, “It’s been very emotional, I think I feel the most sorry for my parents because they came through that era in the sixties, it was heartbreaking, but at the same time embarrassing. I was embarrassed for our parents to see us, and being worried for us is not a good feeling.”