Russell Fry

MYRTLE BEACH — U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and U.S. Rep. Russell Fry have proposed a bill that would create a public database for violent offenders.

Known as "Logan's Law," the bill is named after Logan Federico, the 22-year-old Waxhaw, N.C., woman who was shot and killed in Columbia last year during a home break-in while she was staying with friends at the University of South Carolina. Alexander Dickey, the suspect in that case, has a lengthy criminal record.

"This system is broken. It's rotten to the core," Graham, R-S.C., said during a May 6 news conference in Myrtle Beach. "Plea bargaining will continue, but it has to be done in a way that meets the smell test. In the future, it is my hope that no one with nine felony convictions, eight misdemeanors will ever be let out of jail again."

The bill calls for the creation of a database with the names and information of those who have been convicted of violent crimes. The database would include both state and federal convictions and would be designed to "put the public on notice of violent criminals in their community," according to the bill.

Prosecutors’ offices would be required to provide the name, address, date of birth, sex, race, nationality and citizenship status of any convicted offender to the U.S. Attorney General for inclusion on the list.

The database would also specify the offender’s crimes, current and historical probation status, jurisdiction, sentencing judge, prosecuting attorney's office, maximum and imposed punishment, and whether the conviction was part of a plea deal.

Updated information would need to be sent to the U.S. Attorney General’s Office every six months.

Under the bill, the U.S. Attorney General would also be directed to submit a report to Congress identifying "the problems that currently exist with the speed and sharing of fingerprint, warrant and criminal history data between states and with the federal government.”

“If the U.S. Attorney General is unable to remedy these problems through DOJ recommendations, the Attorney General must make recommendations to Congress that ensure that these criminal records are shared in a way that protects the public,” the bill stated.

Graham said he hopes the bill brings more transparency for the public and more accountability to those who give lighter sentences to violent offenses.

“If you’re a judge who is soft on repeat offenders, this is your worst nightmare,” Graham said. “If you’re a family, this is a godsend.”

In the Federico case, authorities say Dickey embarked on a four-day crime spree that began with stealing a car in Richland County on May 1, 2025, and ended with his capture from a house he set on fire in Lexington County.

Dickey had amassed 25 felony arrests and 15 misdemeanor charges in Lexington, Richland and McCormick counties before Federico’s death. He also served three separate prison terms between 2014 and 2021, according to the State Law Enforcement Division.

“This man was a human crime wave,” Graham said.

Steve Federico, Logan’s father, joined Graham and Fry during their news conference. He said what happened to his daughter could happen to anyone.

“Can you imagine how many Alexander Dickeys we have out on the street right now?” Steve Federico said. “When Alexander Dickey walked in that room that night, he didn't ask Logan what her party was. He didn't care if she was a Republican, a Democrat, a liberal, a progressive, a socialist, any of them. He didn't care. And you know what that tells you? Think about it. It can happen to anyone.”

Fry, R-Surfside Beach, said he and Graham want the bill to be heard before the House Judiciary Committee. He hopes to get it to the House floor for a vote this year.

“We actually had a field hearing in Charlotte … and so I think the Judicial Committee would be very receptive to having a hearing on this bill,” Fry said. “We’re already gathering co-sponsors right now.”