A South Carolina couple has been arrested after allegedly burning a cross at their black neighbor's home in what police say was a racially motivated crime.
Worden Butler, 29, and Alexis Paige Hartnett, of Conway, Horry County, have been charged with second-degree harassment over the shocking incident, which left retired couple Shawn and Monica Williams fearing for their lives.
On Nov. 24, the white couple allegedly erected a burning cross across from Williams' home on Corbett Drive, prompting Horry County police and firefighters to rush to the scene.
Hartnett, who works as a crystal healer according to her social media profiles, is accused of “using racial slurs, threatening bodily harm and referencing the fact that she has murdered a black woman in the past” on Thanksgiving.
Meanwhile, Butler is said to have shared the address of the Williams – who are also both veterans Facebook, He said he was “summoning the devil's army” to their house.
Worden Butler, 29, and Alexis Paige Hartnett, of Conway, Horry County, have been charged with second-degree harassment for the shocking incident that officers say left their black neighbors fearing for their lives. (Pictured: the accused couple)
Alleged victims Monica and Shawn Williams (pictured with WCNC) said their neighbors repeatedly called them the N-word and made them fear for their lives
Hartnett and Butler live in a run-down bungalow (pictured) on Corbett Drive, according to police report into their shocking alleged hate crime
After being taken into custody at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center on Nov. 30, Hartnett appeared expressionless in her booking photo, while Butler looked dazed and disheveled.
The alleged incidents occurred on November 23 when Butler began talking to Monica Williams about work she had been doing at her family home.
Butler entered the premises with Hartnett to 'try to intervene in the work that was being done', before 'According to the police report, he shouted racial slurs at Williams “in reference to the fact that she was black.”
Williams asked why he was berating her and Butler responded by calling her “crazy” before forcing Hartnett to return to their own bungalow next door, according to the warrant.
But the next night tensions escalated when the crazy couple 'raised a cross' in their garden opposite Williams' home.
When emergency responders from the Horry County Police Department and Fire Department showed up, Hartnett “repeatedly used racial slurs toward the victims' family,” which were captured on police bodycam footage, according to the warrant.
Police say her words were “intended to put the victims in fear of assault, bodily harm and/or death” and that the couple's behavior became “more frequent and threatening.”
On November 24, Butler also shared a photo of Williams' mailbox on Facebook, with their address clearly legible on it.
He wrote in the caption that he was “raising the devil's army and I don't care if they and I both end up in the same boat.”
“I'm about to make them pay,” Butler said in the sinister story. “They come on holiday to argue with me,” he added, referring to the fact that they were staying in their property as a retirement home.
Hartnett and Butler have been granted bail. The alleged victims, who have to live next door, described the couple as “dangerous” and called their release pending trial “unbelievable.”
Hartnett (pictured), who works as a crystal healer according to her social media profiles, is accused of “using racial slurs, threatening bodily harm and referencing the fact that she has murdered a black woman in the past” on Thanksgiving this year, according to her arrest warrant
The couple are both charged with second-degree harassment, while Hartnett faces an additional charge of third-degree assault and battery, according to online records
Monica Williams said Butler and Hartnett used the N-word “over and over again” toward her and her husband and told them they “needed to get out of here.”
“It's been traumatic for my whole family because they had to witness this,” she said WCNC.
The distressed homeowner described Butler as 'dangerous' and described the decision to grant the couple bail as 'unbelievable'.
“We feel like he means business if he wants to do harm,” she said, adding that the couple acted as if they were living in “the Dark Ages.”
Shawn Williams said they bought their home two years ago as a retirement home, but have been plagued by constant torment from their neighbors, to the point where they are considering moving.
“It's a place where I should be able to relax, but I can't relax in an environment where I have to be constantly aware,” he told WCNC.
“I don't want it to happen to anyone on any side of the fence,” he added. “The issue of safety and security has been broken; the issue of fear and intimidation now arises.”
South Carolina is one of two U.S. states without a law allowing additional penalties for hate crimes that target people based on their race, religion, gender or other background.
Horry County Police Chief Joseph Hill called Butler and Hartnett's alleged actions “appalling and unacceptable.”
The Williams spoke to WCNC Charlotte about the “traumatic” experience. Monica Williams said Butler and Hartnett used the n-word over and over again and told them to “get out of here.”
“The actions of those responsible for the Thanksgiving weekend incident are abhorrent and unacceptable,” Hill said.
“Such hatred and intimidation will not be tolerated in Horry County.
“The individuals responsible will be held accountable for their actions and the pain they caused the victims and the greater Horry County community.
“Together with our local and regional partners, we will pursue justice to the fullest extent of the law.
“We will continue to stand with the victims and support them against such indecency. Hate and intimidation have no place in Horry County.”
The couple are both charged with second-degree harassment, while Hartnett faces an additional charge of third-degree assault and battery, according to online records.
Hartnett's age was taken from police reports, but Nexis records show her to be 32.