Stephen Federico, the father of Logan Federico, a 22-year-old college student killed during a home invasion in Columbia, South Carolina, in May 2025, testified before Congress and a law enforcement roundtable on Thursday, urging federal lawmakers to pass Logan’s Law. The proposed legislation would establish a public federal database of repeat violent offenders, mandate interstate data-sharing, and hold prosecutors accountable for mishandling habitual criminals. The bill was introduced in the Senate by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham and is now being championed by his successor, Sen. Darline Graham, alongside Rep. Russell Fry.
U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche attended the roundtable in North Charleston, where Federico criticized systemic failures that allowed his daughter’s accused killer, Alexander Dickey, to avoid long-term confinement despite a lengthy criminal record. Dickey, who faces at least 25 felony charges and dozens of arrests, is the primary suspect in Logan Federico’s murder. Federico argued that the justice system prioritizes criminals over victims, stating, “The criminal is more important than the innocent.”
Federico blamed his daughter’s death on local police departments’ failure to share information about outstanding warrants for Dickey across jurisdictions. He compared the issue to broader enforcement gaps, including immigration policies, stating, “We are fighting 15 million that crossed our borders — some horrific criminals, some not. Now we're also fighting the constant felon.”
The Proposed Legislation: Key Components
If enacted, Logan’s Law would require the attorney general to create a publicly accessible federal database of individuals convicted of violent crimes. The bill would also encourage data-sharing between states to prevent repeat offenders from evading justice due to jurisdictional blind spots. Supporters argue the measure would close legal loopholes that allow career criminals to reoffend while avoiding accountability.
Federico’s advocacy comes six months after the bill was first introduced, following its failure to gain momentum in Congress. The roundtable in Charleston County, attended by law enforcement officials and federal representatives, marked a renewed push to advance the legislation.
Background: The Murder and Its Aftermath
Logan Federico was killed during a home break-in while visiting friends in Columbia. Her accused killer, Alexander Dickey, had a history of violent offenses but avoided long-term imprisonment despite multiple arrests. Federico’s family has since become vocal advocates for criminal justice reform, framing the issue as a failure to protect innocent lives from repeat offenders.
Opposition and Political Context
While the bill has bipartisan support, its progress remains uncertain. Some lawmakers and advocacy groups have raised concerns about privacy implications of a public registry and the potential for racial disparities in enforcement. Others argue that existing state-level registries and data-sharing systems already address many of the proposed law’s goals.
Federico has dismissed these concerns, stating his goal is to save thousands of lives by preventing future tragedies. The roundtable event, held at the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, included testimony from Federico, Attorney General Blanche, and Sen. Darline Graham, who has taken up her late brother’s legislative effort.