United States of America v. Worden Evander Butler

Florence, South Carolina, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with interfering with the housing rights of his Black neighbors and using fire to commit a federal felony.

On Nov. 24, 2023, Worden Evander Butler, 31, formerly of Conway, 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 uploaded photos of the victims’ home, vehicles, and mailbox to his social media.

Butler then set up a cross in his backyard and set it on fire.

Butler faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. Butler was arrested in California and will make an initial appearance on April 22 in the Eastern District of California. Butler will be arraigned in the District of South Carolina on May 5 at 2:30 p.m. at the McMillan Federal Building in Florence, S.C.

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

All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.