One of the most emotional and gut-wrenching hearings on Capitol Hill this year unfolded when Steve Federico, the father of 22-year-old Logan Federico, testified before lawmakers about his daughter’s murder.
He vowed he would fight “until my last breath” to make sure her story is not forgotten.
Logan Federico was killed on May 3 in Columbia, South Carolina, while visiting friends at the University of South Carolina.
Authorities say the accused killer is 30-year-old Alexander Devante Dickey, a man prosecutors and police describe as a “career criminal.”
Dickey’s criminal history is extensive, Resist the Mainstream previously reported.
Records show he has been arrested 39 times and charged with 25 felonies over the past decade.
Despite his lengthy record, he was free at the time Logan was murdered.
Prosecutors allege that Dickey broke into a home, dragged Logan from her bed, forced her to her knees and shot her while she begged for her life.
Afterward, investigators say, he used her credit cards to go on a shopping spree.
Facing members of Congress, Federico recounted his daughter’s final moments in chilling detail.
He asked lawmakers to put themselves in his position as parents.
“How many of y’all have kids?” he asked at the outset of his testimony.
“Think about your child coming home from a night out, going to sleep, and then someone comes in the room, drags her out of bed naked, forced on her knees with her hands over her head, begging for her life.”
“That’s what happened to my daughter. She was five-foot-three, 115 pounds. Bang. Dead. Gone,” he added.
Federico told lawmakers that his daughter’s death was the result of systemic failures to keep violent repeat offenders incarcerated.
He said the accused killer’s record alone should have been enough to guarantee he was not released.
“Alexander Dickey was arrested 39 times, 25 felonies. He should have been in jail for 140 years,” Federico testified.
“Do you know how much time he spent in prison? A little over 600 days in 10 years. Two-point-six-five crimes a year since he was 15 years old, and nobody could figure out he couldn’t be rehabilitated?”
The grieving father said responsibility for the crime does not end with the killer.
He told lawmakers that officials who allowed Dickey to remain free must also be held accountable.
“Everyone responsible for keeping this man on the streets should be thrown in prison,” he said.
Federico named Richland County Solicitor Byron Gibson, criticizing him for focusing on his public image instead of the safety of residents.
“I haven’t heard a damn word from Byron Gibson in South Carolina,” Federico said.
“His biggest concern was that he was pissed off about my interview on Fox News with Trey Gowdy. How pathetic is that?”
Logan’s father also shared personal details about his daughter’s life and her aspirations.
Just two weeks before she was killed, Logan had chosen her career path and decided she wanted to become a teacher.
“She finally figured it out — she wanted to be a teacher. And she was executed,” he said, describing the dreams that were cut short.
In his testimony, Federico promised he would not stop pressing lawmakers to act.
He warned members of Congress that he would continue to raise his voice until something is done to prevent similar tragedies.
“You woke up a beast, and you pissed off the wrong daddy,” he declared.
“I’m not going to be quiet until somebody helps. Logan deserves to be heard. You will be sick and tired of my face and my voice until this gets fixed.”
Federico said the justice system had betrayed not only his family but also every American family by allowing repeat violent offenders to remain free.
“We put you in power to do what you have to do. We’re asking you, begging you to stop this,” he told lawmakers.
“Thirty-nine crimes in 10 years, 25 felonies. Can anybody explain to me how he could possibly be on the street?”
The father also pointed out that his daughter’s killer was quickly identified after the crime, underscoring how familiar authorities were with him.
“They didn’t have to check — he was arrested so many times, they knew exactly who he was,” Federico said.
He called the system “absolutely pathetic.”
Federico concluded his testimony with a promise that his daughter’s story would not be forgotten.
“My daughter’s name is Logan Federico, not Iryna. You will not forget her. I promise you.”
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