In a recent House Judiciary hearing, Steve Federico, the father of a 22-year-old woman allegedly murdered in May while visiting friends in South Carolina, criticized the legal system that allowed his daughter's accused killer, Alexander Dickey, to remain at large despite a lengthy criminal history. Federico stated that Dickey had 39 prior arrests, including 25 felony charges.
Explainer As A Former DC Cop, The Federal Takeover Was The Right Move
Court records indicate that between 2013 and 2024, multiple charges against Dickey were marked as "nolle prosequi" in South Carolina’s 11th Judicial Circuit, meaning the solicitor chose not to prosecute. This included five instances since Republican Solicitor Rick Hubbard took office in 2017, succeeding Donnie Myers, who held the position for four decades. The dropped charges included weapons violations and criminal conspiracy.
Several of these charges appear to have been dismissed as part of plea deals, allowing Dickey to plead guilty to lesser offenses. Hubbard did not respond to inquiries regarding the rationale behind these plea agreements.
In August 2014, Dickey was arrested for two counts of first-degree burglary, which carries a minimum sentence of 15 years. However, he later pleaded guilty to second-degree non-violent burglary, receiving a 10-year suspended sentence during probation. In March 2015, he returned to court for additional charges, with one being dropped and the other resulting in a guilty plea for third-degree burglary.
In 2023, Dickey pleaded guilty to another burglary charge, originally facing a violent second-degree burglary charge but instead receiving a five-year sentence, credited with time served upon release.
Hubbard stated that his office was unaware of Dickey's previous burglary convictions, which would have influenced their prosecution strategy. "For some reason unknown to us, Dickey's RAP sheet does not include any prior burglary convictions. Other agencies are responsible for the data on RAP sheets," he explained.
The incomplete nature of Dickey's criminal record may stem from issues in the fingerprinting process, which is essential for updating criminal histories. In 2019, Dickey faced armed robbery charges but ultimately pleaded guilty to a lesser offense, receiving a four-year sentence.
Dickey has reportedly been sentenced to probation multiple times, including in 2023, and received an early release from probation in February 2025.
During the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Oversight hearing, Federico urged lawmakers to prioritize public safety. "You need to fight for the rest of our children, the rest of the innocents, and stop protecting the people that keep taking them from us," he said.
Federico also criticized South Carolina Solicitor Byron Gipson, claiming he had not been contacted by Gipson's office since his daughter's death. Gipson's office countered that they had communicated with Federico on several occasions. U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., called for Gipson's impeachment, citing neglect of duty in handling the case.
Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., expressed frustration over the lack of bipartisan participation in discussions about violent crime, stating, "I respect differences of opinion, but I think you have to be there. You have to be in the game. You have to participate."
In contrast, Rep. Deborah Ross, D-N.C., argued that the crime issue is not solely the fault of Democrats, emphasizing the need for adequate funding for law enforcement. She pointed to a potential $100 million cut in local law enforcement funding as a concern.
Federico confronted Ross after she mistakenly identified a photo of his daughter, saying, "This is my daughter … how dare you not know her!" He vowed to continue advocating for justice, stating, "I promise you, you will be sick and tired of my face and my voice until this gets fixed. I will fight until my last breath for my daughter."
Legislation named after Iryna Zarutska, another murder victim, is awaiting the signature of North Carolina Governor Josh Stein. This bill aims to reinstate the death penalty and reform pretrial release standards for violent offenders, including eliminating cashless bail for certain crimes.
Why it matters
- Steve Federico's testimony highlights systemic failures in the legal system that allowed a repeat offender to evade serious consequences, raising public safety concerns.
- The case underscores issues with plea deals and prosecutorial discretion, prompting calls for accountability from local officials.
- The hearing has sparked bipartisan discussions on violent crime, revealing differing perspectives on responsibility and funding for law enforcement.
What’s next
- U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman is pushing for the impeachment of Solicitor Byron Gipson over his handling of the case.
- Legislation aimed at reforming pretrial release standards and reinstating the death penalty is awaiting the signature of North Carolina's governor.
- Federico vows to continue advocating for justice, indicating potential future actions to raise awareness on the issue.