A devastated father is demanding justice after the tragic murder of his 22-year-old daughter, an aspiring educator, who was killed by a “career criminal” while visiting friends at the University of South Carolina.
Stephen Federico shared his heart-wrenching story during a hearing held by Congress in Charlotte, aimed at addressing the escalating issue of violent crime and repeat offenders. This was just weeks after the notorious murder of Ukrainian national, Iryna Zarutska.
The atmosphere was charged as Federico began to speak, especially after Democratic North Carolina Rep. Deborah Ross mistakenly referred to a photograph of his daughter as Zarutska’s.
“This is my daughter, Logan Federico. How could you not know her name?” he admonished Rep. Ross, visibly upset.
Ross repeatedly expressed her regret for the error as the hearing progressed.
“How many of you have children?” the grieving father asked the committee members, his voice tense. “When I recount this story, think about your own child.”
Logan Federico was fatally shot on May 3 while visiting friends in Columbia, South Carolina. Her alleged assailant, Alexander Dickey, a 30-year-old with a lengthy criminal record, broke into the home.
“Imagine your child coming home from a night out with friends, settling in for the night, only to be awakened by an intruder, dragged from bed, forced to her knees, pleading for her life, calling for me, her father, who wasn’t there,” Federico recounted, barely holding back his emotions.
“She was just 5-foot-3 and weighed 115 pounds. Then, BANG!” he exclaimed to the assembly.
“Gone forever. Why? Because Alexander Devonte Dickey, who has been arrested 39 damn times, including 25 felonies, was still on the streets.”
Dickey previously had a history of burglaries and went on a spree using stolen credit cards after he shot Logan, and was arrested soon after.
Federico criticized the justice system for failing to protect not just his daughter, but many others as well.
“He should have been locked up for over 140 years for his crimes. Instead, he spent just over 600 days in prison over a 10-year span. He’s only 30!,” Federico shouted. “Since he turned 15, he was averaging over two-and-a-half crimes a year, and yet no one thought he could be rehabilitated. But how can he be rehabilitated if you never put him in prison?”
The heartbroken father pledged to keep fighting for justice.
“I will not rest until my daughter receives the justice she deserves. I will not be silenced until someone listens. Logan deserves to be heard. Everyone in this room deserves to be heard, and we will make our voices known,” he declared.
“You hold the power. We elected you to take action. I implore you, we are begging you to intervene and put a stop to this.”
Documents reveal that Dickey had faced nearly 40 charges since 2013 but was sentenced in only eight instances, which included robbery, drug possession, and theft.
In 2023, he pleaded guilty to third-degree burglary and received a five-year sentence but was credited with over 410 days already served, and his probation was shortened due to “compliance.”
On the early morning of May 3, Dickey drove a stolen vehicle into the area and parked on Cypress Street, seemingly at random, according to police reports. He allegedly broke into one house, stealing car keys and a firearm, before entering the residence where Federico was located, where he reportedly killed her.
Later that day, a resident of Gaston witnessed Dickey coming out of the woods and stealing a vehicle. He crashed soon after and then fled on foot to the same Gaston residence where law enforcement had previously responded, breaking in.
Law enforcement surrounded the premises and commanded him to come out. Dickey allegedly tried to ignite the dwelling before deputies apprehended him.
Dickey now faces multiple serious charges including murder, two counts of first-degree burglary, various weapon possession charges, grand larceny, and multiple counts of theft involving financial transaction cards.
If convicted, he faces life in prison.
With Post wires
