White South Carolina Couple That Burned Cross on Black Neighbors’ Lawn Could Also Lose Home

CONWAY, SC – Nearly three months ago, Worden Butler and Alexis Harnett were allegedly having fun harassing their Black neighbors, Shawn and Monica Williams, with racist remarks, racist threats, and disturbing claims in Conway, South Carolina.

Among the threats, Butler once allegedly posted the Black couple’s address on Facebook and wrote that he planned on “summoning the devil’s army, and I don’t care if they and I both go down in the same boat. I’m about to make them pay,” according to USA Today.

Not exactly the warm welcome someone would expect from a neighbor.

The harassment reached its peak when the white couple was arrested in December 2023 after they were accused of erecting and setting fire to a cross outside the home of their Black neighbors during Thanksgiving weekend.

White Couple Charged In Cross Burning On Black Neighbors’ Lawn In SC

According to WMBF, Monica Williams said, “There was a cross burning about eight feet from our fence. We were speechless because we’ve never experienced something like that.”

As a result, Butler and Harnett were both charged with second-degree harassment. Not to mention, they are also being federally investigated for civil rights violations.

But last week, things only got worse for the racist duo. According to WCIV, Special Prosecutor James Battle, who is in charge of handling public nuisance actions for the local solicitor’s office, filed a petition that would have the couple removed from their home much sooner than they originally would.

Jimmy Richardson, the Fifteenth Circuit solicitor, asked a judge to declare Butler and Harnett’s a public nuisance. He also asked the judge to approve a temporary injunction that would immediately kick out all residents from the home and board it off until the case is officially heard in court.

So not only are Butler and Harnett facing state and federal charges, but they could also potentially lose their home. Tough break.