‘Summoning the devil’s army’: South Carolina man posts black neighbors’ address on Facebook. He burns a cross before the FBI leaps into action

A South Carolina man allegedly posted his Black neighbors’ home and address on Facebook, threatened to scare them with a cross, and then set one on fire in his backyard. Nearly three years later, his case has moved from a local harassment charge to federal court, where it remains unresolved.

A federal grand jury indicted 31-year-old Worden Evander Butler in April on charges of interfering with his neighbors’ housing rights and using fire to commit a federal felony. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina, Butler had written that he would give his “racist neighbors … a good scare for the health. With a cross in the lawn” before allegedly carrying out the threat.

The incident happened in Conway on Nov. 24, 2023, and involved Butler’s next-door neighbors, Shawn and Monica Williams. Butler had also posted photos of their home, vehicles, and mailbox on Facebook, according to the indictment.

The cross-burning was not the first confrontation

The Williamses had already reported problems with Butler and his then-girlfriend, Alexis Hartnett, before the cross appeared in the backyard. According to a Horry County police report, Butler allegedly entered the couple’s property during one confrontation and directed racial slurs at Monica Williams.

Police also said Butler posted a photo of the Williamses’ mailbox showing their address. The following night, Butler, and Hartnett allegedly put up a cross facing the neighbors’ home and set it on fire, prompting police and firefighters to respond.

Police arrested Butler and Hartnett and charged them with second-degree harassment. Hartnett also faced a third-degree assault and battery charge. The state case ended first. Butler pleaded guilty to second-degree harassment in January 2025, and the judge gave him credit for time served. The federal case, however, was still ahead.

In April 2026, a federal grand jury indicted Butler on two counts. Prosecutors say his alleged conduct interfered with the Williamses’ housing rights, while another charge accuses him of using fire to commit a federal felony.

Then Butler’s federal case took another turn

California authorities arrested Butler after the indictment and brought him back to South Carolina. He pleaded not guilty at his May 6 arraignment, putting the case on a very different track from the state prosecution that had already ended.

At a detention hearing six days later, prosecutors argued that Butler should remain behind bars while the federal case continued. They cited concerns about where he would live and whether he posed a flight risk. His defense proposed conditions including GPS monitoring and surrendering his passport, but the judge ultimately ordered Butler back into federal custody.

Then came another unexpected development. On May 18, Butler’s attorneys asked the court for a psychiatric and psychological evaluation. WMBF reported that his lawyers questioned whether he fully understood the federal charges and could assist in his defense. The federal prosecutor consented to the request.

And that is where the publicly reported updates become scarce. As of Sept. 17, no later news report has revealed what happened with that evaluation or whether Butler has pleaded guilty, gone to trial, been convicted, or received a sentence on the federal charges. The latest substantive reporting on the case remains from May.

That does not establish that nothing has happened in court. Federal cases can continue through filings and hearings without generating news coverage. It means there is no verified public outcome to report yet.

For now, Butler has pleaded not guilty, remained in federal custody, and asked the court for an evaluation before the case can move forward. The federal charges remain allegations, and prosecutors must prove them beyond a reasonable doubt.

Have a tip we should know? [email protected]