FBI investigating racist letter to Wake Forest family

Editor's note: WRAL has received several inquiries from residents of Wakefield Plantation concerned that their neighborhood was mentioned as part of this story originally. The neighbors interviewed by WRAL all identified themselves as Wakefield Plantation residents. Their mailboxes all have "WP" neighborhood logos on them. The neighborhood entrance has the “WP” logo on it. When the Wakefield Plantation Community Association pointed out that technically these homes are in Wakefield Estates, WRAL adjusted the story.

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The FBI is looking into a racist letter that was recently sent to an interracial family in Wake Forest, according to Wake County Sheriff's Office spokesman Eric Curry.

"[P]lease remember that the rest of us live in an upscale neighborhood and have spent the extra money to stay out of mixed neighborhoods and/or the ghetto," the letter states. "No one wants trouble or any circumstance arising which could turn our neighborhood into a 'semi-ghetto.'"

The anonymous letter singled out the husband and children of the family, saying "no one is interested in your or their 'struggles.'"

"Keep matters inside your own house and do your best to keep this area upscale and free of that element," the letter states. "Most of us would not hesitate to call the police if your kids or husband get unruly, so please be considerate of everyone else living amongst you."

Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said Friday that she doesn't see any basis for criminal charges, but the federal investigation could involve civil rights violations.

The family's neighbors in the Wakefield Estates neighborhood expressed outrage at the letter, and members of the community had planned a solidarity march for Saturday morning, but the event was later canceled. A Saturday afternoon protest march in Wakefield is planned.