The FBI raided the home of a white South Carolina couple as part of a criminal civil rights investigation. Black neighbors accused the pair of an “appalling” campaign of stalking, harassment and racial discrimination over two years.
Federal agents moved on the home Dec. 20 in Conway, about 30 minutes northwest of Myrtle Beach, after Alexis Hartnett, 27, and Worden Butler, 28, were arrested Nov. 30 by local authorities after they allegedly burned a cross on their lawn to scare off a retired Black couple who moved into the house next door two years earlier.
The FBI said the operation was “related to an ongoing criminal civil rights investigation involving allegations of racial discrimination,” according to FBI special agent Steve Jensen, who is leading the probe for the Columbia division of the bureau. “We are working jointly with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, as well as our local and state partners, to thoroughly examine this matter, and we’re dedicated to ensuring equality and fairness within our communities,” he said.
The Bureau has not revealed what if any evidence was collected at the residence.
Right now, Hartnett and Butler only face misdemeanor charges of second-degree harassment as a result of the alleged cross-burning incident on Thanksgiving weekend, but the racial component of their broader actions could ultimately lead to federal hate crime charges now that the FBI was involved.
Hartnett was also charged with third-degree assault, also a misdemeanor, although police have not yet explained what led to that count.
Hartnett and Butler posted bail and were released from jail the next day.
Less than a month later federal agents were at their front door.
The victims in the case were identified as Shawn and Monica Williams, previously of Myrtle Beach, who said they have endured a nonstop barrage of racist attacks since they moved next door to the couple in 2021.
“The N-word over and over, we need to get out of…
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