SC man who set cross on fire near his Black neighbors won’t serve more time. Here’s why
Editor’s note: This story is being updated to correct Monica Williams’ last name. (Updated 8:29 p.m. Jan. 29, 2025)
A Conway area man who erected a cross facing his Black neighbors and set it on fire won’t serve any more time for the incident.
Worden Butler pleaded guilty to second-degree assault Wednesday, court records show.
Butler, along with his girlfriend, directed a burning cross at his neighbors Monica and Shawn Williams on Thanksgiving 2023, according to The Sun News. His then-girlfriend Alexis Hartnett is also allegedly involved.
The case against Hartnett, who faces similar charges, has not been heard.
The 29-year-old Butler was sentenced to time served, court records show.
Butler will not face more serious charges because there is no hate crime law in South Carolina. The Palmetto state and Wyoming are the only states in the country without a hate crime law.
The Williamses had previous problems with Butler and Hartnett, including Hartnett shouting racial slurs and Butler acting aggressive and possessive over the property line, Monica Williams said in a previous hearing. The Williamses live in Charlotte, North Carolina, full-time but in 2021 bought a house along Corbett Drive to be their future retirement home.
Last March, Butler and Hartnett were kicked out of the home after a judge deemed the house a public nuisance and no one was allowed to enter. In October, the same judge changed the ruling to allow Janet Butler, Worden’s mother and the property owner, to come into the house.
Because of Hartnett and Butler’s actions, whenever they visit their Conway area home, Monica and Shawn Williams notify local law enforcement and multiple neighbors to stay safe.
“We say a prayer and hope no harm comes to us when we’re there,” Monica Williams said. “It’s very triggering.”
Since the Thanksgiving incident, Myrtle Beach and Conway have passed local hate crime laws.
“We’re hoping this is a takeaway that the laws are not serious enough to deal with this,” Monica Williams said. “We’re looking for community support to get the hate crime bill passed.”
Horry County Police Chief Kris Leonhardt released a statement after the hearing that said, “Today’s guilty plea is a small acknowledgment by the defendant of wrongdoing and, while it does not make up for what occurred, we hope it brings some measure of relief to the Williams family and our community.
“The seriousness of this case should not be understated. Know this — harassment will not be tolerated in Horry County.”
This story was originally published January 29, 2025 at 1:50 PM.
