Alleged SC hate crime: Detained man in federal cross burning case seeks bond

A 31-year-old man currently detained in a federal cross burning hate crime case will seek bond, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Worden Butler, formerly of Conway, appeared Wednesday before a federal magistrate judge in Florence and pleaded not guilty. He is being held without bond.

A detention hearing is now scheduled before Magistrate Judge Kaymani West at 2:30 pm on Tuesday, May 12, at the federal courthouse in Florence. At such hearings, the government tries to show the defendant is either a flight risk or a danger to the community, or both.

Butler’s court-appointed attorney, Derek Shoemake, declined comment.

Butler was arrested in California in late April and brought back to South Carolina.

He was indicted by a South Carolina federal grand jury for interfering with the housing rights of his Black neighbors and using fire to commit a federal felony, an indictment in the case said.

The indictment alleges that Nov. 24, 2023, Butler made a series of Facebook posts about his next-door neighbors, including that he would give “his racist neighbors ... a good scare for the health. With a cross in the lawn.”

Butler then set up a cross in his backyard, lit it on fire and positioned it to face his Black neighbors’ home, the indictment said. He also uploaded photos of the victims’ home, vehicles and mailbox to his social media account the indictment said.

The Black neighbors were a man and woman who owned their own home, the indictment said. The indictment did not specify where in Conway the incident took place.

Conway is the county seat of Horry County, one of the state’s most prosperous counties and the home of Myrtle Beach and well-to-do coastal communities.

Butler faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office and Horry County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elle Klein is prosecuting the case.

U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling said Wednesday, “Butler’s alleged actions threatened the peace and safety of a family simply trying to enjoy Thanksgiving in their home. Now he is back in South Carolina to face these charges.”

South Carolina is one of only two states that has no state hate crime law.