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Father of NC college student 'furious' after career criminal allegedly kills daughter in USC house burglary

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Father of NC college student 'furious' after career criminal allegedly kills daughter in USC house burglary

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The father of a North Carolina college student who was shot in a “random” burglary earlier this month while she was staying with University of South Carolina students for the weekend was “furious” when he learned of the suspect’s lengthy criminal history.

Logan Federico, a 22-year-old aspiring teacher from Waxhaw, was visiting friends at USC in Columbia, South Carolina, and staying at a house on Cypress Street on the evening of May 2 through May 3.

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In the early morning hours of May 3, suspect Alexander Dickey, a 30-year-old “career criminal,” entered the home in the early morning, stole several credit and debit cards and fatally shot Logan in what Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook described as a “random” crime during a May 5 press conference.

“She was supposed to go down the night before, and plans got canceled … so she decided to do it on a Friday,” Logan’s father, Stephen Federico, told Fox News Digital. “That’s the thing that’s just gut-wrenching. She wasn’t even supposed to be there. She was supposed to be home Friday.”

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Stephen Federico recounts the moment he learned his daughter, Logan, had been fatally shot while visiting friends at USC in Columbia, South Carolina. (Adam Eugene Willis for Fox News Digital)

On Saturday afternoon, Logan’s mother, Melissa Federico, was at home cooking when two officers showed up at her door to tell her the news that Logan had been shot dead in Columbia. Stephen had been golfing with friends when his wife called.

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“Then, I heard … the screams from my wife on the phone and … she didn’t want to tell me that, and I had to kind of pull it out of her,” Stephen recalled. “And she finally said Logan’s gone, and I said, ‘What do you mean gone?’ She said dead. And that moment, I had no reaction. I was in shock.”

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Stephen Federico looks at a photo of his daughter, Logan Federico, on his phone. (Adam Eugene Willis for Fox News Digital)

He described his feelings upon learning that Logan had been shot as “a kick in the stomach” and “a panic.”

When he learned through local news that Dickey was a career criminal with nearly 40 prior arrests across different North Carolina counties, he felt “furious.”

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Alexander Dickey, 30, has 40 criminal and traffic charges dating back to 2013. (Lexington SC Detention Center)

“That was shocking. Absolutely shocking,” he said. “I got a name, but obviously, I didn’t get a lot of information. They were still investigating the whole background. They told me he was a career criminal. We referred him to something else. It is what it is — that’s the way I feel. But yeah, it was a shock that he was actually out on the streets.”

Logan had been studying at Central Piedmont Community College and working two jobs at the time of her death. She had aspirations to attend a four-year college and become a teacher after she developed a love of kids while babysitting her neighbors over the summer.

Logan Federico had dreams of becoming a teacher. (handout)

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Federico described her personality as “electric … outgoing, personable, infectious.”

“Huge heart,” he said. “Somebody that cared intensely about people that would go out of her way to make somebody feel included and find the people that felt excluded and make sure she pulled them in.”

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Federico described his daughter Logan’s personality as “electric … outgoing, personable, infectious.” (Adam Eugene Willis for Fox News Digital)

In the early morning hours of May 3, Dickey drove a stolen vehicle into the neighborhood and parked the car on Cypress Street, seemingly at random, according to Columbia police. He allegedly broke into one home and stole the keys to another vehicle and a firearm. He then broke into the home where Federico was staying, police said.

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There, Dickey allegedly stole several credit cards, saw Federico sleeping in one of the rooms in the house and fatally shot her with the stolen firearm.

Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook described the crime as “random” and the suspect, 30-year-old Alexander Dickey, as a “career criminal” during a Monday press conference. (Columbia PD)

Authorities responded to the residence around 11 a.m., when Federico was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound. Columbia police described Logan as “a true victim and not an intended target.”

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The next day, Dickey went on a “shopping spree” using the stolen credit cards in West Columbia, and the stolen vehicle he was using broke down in Saluda County, police said. He allegedly called a tow truck to have the stolen vehicle transported to a residence in Gaston.

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Logan Federico, a 22-year-old aspiring nurse, was fatally shot during a Columbia home break-in on the morning of May 3. (Columbia PD)

Authorities began tracking Dickey as a person of interest and responded to the residence in Gaston on May 3. He allegedly fled the home when they arrived, and officials spent the remainder of Saturday searching for him.

Around 4 p.m. on May 4, a Gaston resident reported seeing a man, later identified as Dickey, emerge from the woods and steal a car. He wrecked the stolen car and fled on foot to the initial Gaston residence law enforcement had responded to the day before and forced his way inside the home.

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Columbia police described Logan as “a true victim and not an intended target.” (handout)

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Authorities surrounded the residence and ordered him to emerge, at which point Dickey allegedly tried to set fire to the home. Lexington County Sheriff’s Office deputies detained him at the residence.

“We’re gonna get this guy. I’ll see to it.”

— Stephen Federico

Federico said his daughter’s murder robbed the world of a kind person who loved to help others — and robbed the children who would have been Logan’s future students of a great teacher.

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Last week, Dickey appeared in court for a bond hearing. Federico and other family members attended the hearing. He said it was important to him to show up for Logan, and he will continue to do so until his daughter gets justice.

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Stephen Federico said he plans on attending all of Alexander Dickey’s court hearings. (Adam Eugene Willis for Fox News Digital)

The grieving father also thanked Columbia police for their quick work in tracking down and arresting Dickey, calling two officers in particular his “friends.”

“These officers down there, wow. Superheros.”

— Stephen Federico

“They’re now my friends. All of them are,” he said. “Just special people. Really special people. They found their calling.”

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Dickey is charged with murder, two counts of first-degree burglary, two counts of possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, two counts of grand larceny, grand larceny of a motor vehicle, three counts of financial transaction card theft.

He was given a probation sentence for a burglary charge in 2023, which was reduced for compliance. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 25. He faces life in prison for the charges filed against him in Lexington County.

Dickey’s attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Virginia Dems send Spanberger bill that could let some repeat offenders out without secured bond, expert warns

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Virginia Dems send Spanberger bill that could let some repeat offenders out without secured bond, expert warns

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A top national figure in the bail industry warned of the dangers behind a Virginia bill heading to Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s desk that would remove bond requirements for previously convicted felons.

Virginia state Del. Katrina Callsen, D-Charlottesville, drafted HB 357, which critics say makes it easier for criminals to get out of jail on an unsecured bond. The bill passed both chambers in Richmond along party lines.

In comments to Fox News Digital on Monday, National Association of Bail Agents President Michelle Esquenazi said she was familiar with the Virginia legislation and that it will only serve to erode public safety.

“We believe any time recidivist offenders are released due to unsecured bail policies, it puts communities in direct danger,” Esquenazi said. “Many are unaware of how secured bonds insulate public safety throughout the United States of America.”

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Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former Rep. Abigail Spanberger arrives at a canvass launch event in Lake Ridge, Virginia, on Nov. 2, 2025. The image also shows an empty jail cell in a composite photo. (Win McNamee/Getty Images; Michael Matthey/picture alliance via Getty Images)

“This bill is in direct contrast to the needs of all communities in Virginia, whether they are Republican, Democrat, or Independent.”

Esquenazi said criminals don’t choose victims based on political ideology and that policymakers have failed to understand that bringing criminals to justice should be nonpartisan.

While Callsen did not respond to requests for comment, similar legislation in recent years has often come about as a wish for offenders to receive “second chances” — a dynamic Fox News Digital asked Esquenazi about.

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“The secured bail industry is an industry of second chances,” she said.

“However, if you’re going to continue to commit crime, policymakers have to understand and take into account that committing crime is not a mandate. It’s a career choice.”

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The Virginia Capitol in Richmond, Va., is shown on March 4, 2010. Virginia lawmakers handled hundreds of bills on Feb. 13, 2024, as a key legislative deadline neared. (Steve Helber/AP)

Policies like HB 357 serve to give recidivists more than just second but third and subsequent chances because a second chance is “only a title,” which the policies themselves far exceed, she said.

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Justice Forward Virginia, a progressive criminal justice reform group focused on advancing related legislation, listed the bill in its section of 2026 priorities. The group did not respond to a request for comment.

Callsen’s bill removes language from Code of Virginia § 19.2-123 governing “Release of accused on unsecured bail or promise to appear” that currently states any person arrested for a felony or who is on bond for an unrelated arrest or on parole may only be released upon securing a secured bond.

Instead, it retains only language providing preestablished conditions of release for that offender.

Other critics took to X, including Club For Growth’s Andrew Follett, who posted a passage from Soviet dissident Alexander Solzhenitsyn about a civilian being punished more for being caught with a concealed knife than a felon for whom it would be “mere misbehavior; tradition” — and commented that “Democrats have a crush on criminals — it isn’t more complicated than that.”

“Under leftist ideology, society is responsible for crime, not individuals,” Follett said.

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“Or, [Virginia House] Speaker Don Scott is preparing for his next arrest,” quipped another X user.

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Scott, D-Portsmouth, served more than 7 years of a 10-year 1994 sentence for federal crack cocaine-related charges — and was one of thousands of convicts who had their rights to vote and serve in office restored by GOP Gov. Robert F. McDonnell in 2013.

After former President Biden pardoned him in 2025, Scott said that his “journey from being arrested as a law student to standing here today as the first Black Speaker of the House of Delegates in Virginia’s 405-year history is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and transformative power of second chances,” according to Hampton Roads’ ABC affiliate.

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‘90 Day Fiancé’ alum’s boyfriend on trial for attempted murder over wild ‘Boca Bash’ accusations

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‘90 Day Fiancé’ alum’s boyfriend on trial for attempted murder over wild ‘Boca Bash’ accusations

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The boyfriend of a reality TV star who appeared on “90 Day Fiancé” faces trial this week on charges he tried to murder her while they were boating in South Florida.

Cole Goldberg was initially charged with domestic battery by strangulation. The charge was upgraded more than a year after the incident to attempted second-degree murder, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators said Goldberg and Caroline Schwitzky, 32, got into a heated argument while the two were attending the annual boat party event, “Boca Bash” on April 24, 2022. At the time, the couple had been dating for about a year.

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Cole Goldberg, the boyfriend of “90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After?” star, Caroline Schwitzky, is accused of trying to strangle and drown her in Florida. (Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office)

When Schwitzky attempted to escape the vessel, Cole “was grabbing her very aggressively” to keep her on the boat, according to a police report obtained by Law&Crime.

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Caroline Schwitzky, 32, was attacked by her boyfriend while on a boat in Florida, authorities said. She was also arrested for a warrant from another county, according to jail records. (Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office)

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Schwitzky, the CEO of Miami talent agency Urge and a mom of three, allegedly punched Goldberg’s arms to free herself during the struggle, which lasted roughly 20 minutes. She jumped into the water to swim to a nearby boat, a witness told authorities. 

Goldberg went after her and allegedly tried to drown her. A bystander named Matt Paris jumped in and intervened.

Boca Bash on Lake Boca Raton on April 27, 2025, in Boca Raton, Florida. Hundreds of party-goers floated on the lakes in boats, kayaks and paddle boards. (Greg Lovett/Imagn)

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Schwitzky appeared on “90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After?” in 2016 as talent agent to Paola Mayfield.

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According to CourtTV, prosecutors offered Goldberg a plea agreement that would have required him to serve six months in jail and three years of probation, as well as write a 500-word letter of apology. He turned down the offer, saying he would not accept a plea to a felony.

Fox News’ Louis Casiano contributed to this report.



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Ex-mayor caught in lewd act at booze-filled pool party, prosecutors say

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Ex-mayor caught in lewd act at booze-filled pool party, prosecutors say

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A former Louisiana mayor is on trial after prosecutors allege her teenage son caught her having sex with one of his 16-year-old friends at a booze-filled pool party. 

Misty Roberts, 43, the former mayor of DeRidder, is facing charges of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and indecent behavior with a juvenile, according to KPLC. She has pleaded not guilty. 

Roberts’ second trial is underway after the first case resulted in a mistrial due to judicial issues in nearby Beauregard Parish, the outlet reported. 

The charges stem from a 2024 late-night gathering at Roberts’ home. 

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Misty Roberts, 43, the former mayor of DeRidder, is facing charges of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and indecent behavior with a juvenile, according to KPLC.  (Louisiana Highway Patrol)

Last week, Roberts’ children and her ex-husband took the stand in her trial, along with a DoorDash driver, family friend and multiple teenagers who were present at the party, according to KPLC. 

Jurors were shown a video interview of Roberts’ son, taken last year, in which the teenager reportedly told authorities he witnessed his mother having sex with his friend through a crack in a window during the party. 

However, upon taking the stand last week, the teenager reportedly told jurors he was not certain of what he actually saw that evening. 

Roberts’ defense attorneys have disputed the recording, telling jurors that part of the interview could have been improperly transcribed. 

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Prosecutors allege Misty Roberts had sex with her son’s 16-year-old friend at a booze-filled house party in 2024. (Misty Roberts/Facebook)

Text messages between the mother and son were also shown to the jury, with the pair discussing what type of alcohol the teenagers wanted for the party. 

In another exchange, Roberts’ son warned her of the victim’s age, texting her, “He is seventeen,” according to the outlet. The victim was 16 years old at the time of the alleged incident. 

Additional text messages from the night of the party show Roberts’ son calling the situation “crazy” and telling her that his younger sister was emotional. 

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Upon taking the stand, Roberts’ daughter told the court that she witnessed her mother and the victim “on top of each other” the night of the party,” KPLC reported. 

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Following the alleged encounter, prosecutors reportedly said the victim’s mother texted Roberts to confirm she was not pregnant. 

Roberts replied that she was on birth control, and later screenshotted the messages and sent them in a separate group chat while suggesting she would take an emergency contraceptive known as “Plan B.” 

Jurors also heard from a DoorDash driver who testified that he fulfilled an order from “Misty C” to purchase the emergency contraceptive and leave it at the front door of the home, the outlet reported. 

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The driver added that he later heard rumors about the alleged incident and believed his delivery was connected. 

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Roberts’ nephew also testified that he attempted to see what was happening in the room during the party by using his phone’s camera, but was unsure if he recorded any footage and did not send anything to anyone following the alleged encounter, according to the outlet.  

The nephew also admitted to deleting his Snapchat memories before investigators took custody of his phone because he did not want to get in trouble over photos of underage drinking, adding he did not intend to delete evidence. 

Another member of the victim’s friend group also told jurors that he witnessed Roberts flirting with the victim on the night of the party, while revealing the boy appeared to be drunk and vomited later that night, KPLC reported. 

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On Saturday, Roberts’ ex-husband, Duncan Clanton, reportedly testified that Roberts confessed to having sex with the teenage boy and that the couple’s children had caught them in the act. 

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Misty Roberts is currently on trial in Beauregard Parish for allegedly having sex with her son’s 16-year-old friend at a house party in 2024. (Google Maps)

Jurors were also shown text messages between the married couple, in which Clanton told Roberts, “I would deny what happened if you’re approached by anyone at the meeting,” on the day of a city council meeting. 

In another exchange, Clanton reportedly testified Roberts texted him, “I need you to deny it, please.”

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Clanton added that while he refused to deny the allegations, he avoided talking about the incident. 

“I can’t keep hurting others, friends and family. Lord knows I’ve done enough,” Roberts reportedly texted Clanton, according to KPLC. 

On cross-examination, when Roberts’ defense attorney asked Clanton if he felt as though Roberts was a good mom, the father reportedly answered, “No.”

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Roberts resigned from her position as mayor just days before her arrest in 2024. She was initially prohibited from making contact with her children without permission from Clanton and the court revoked child support.

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Roberts’ defense attorney did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.  

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