MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — A new federal initiative, known as “Logan’s Law,” proposes to establish a national database of violent criminals, similar to the existing sex offender registry.
The measure is being pushed by Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, and Rep. Russell Fry of South Carolina.
The proposed law is inspired by the murder of 22-year-old Logan Federico of Waxhaw, who was killed in May 2023.
The database would allow public access to information about violent offenders.
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If the law passes, the U.S. Attorney General would be required to establish this database within six months.
States would then need to submit data on individuals convicted of violent crimes punishable by six months or more in jail.
This requirement also includes cases where a criminal pleads down to a lesser charge and sentence, which would be clearly identified in the database.
Graham emphasized the need for such a system. “We have a national sex offender database; we have no such thing for violent crime -- we’re about to create it,” Graham said.
Federico was visiting friends in Columbia, South Carolina, when she was killed during a home invasion. Alexander Dickey has been charged with her murder.
Steve Federico, Logan’s father and an advocate for the law, described the extensive criminal history of the man charged with his daughter’s murder.
“39 charges, 25 felonies. Was out on the street time and time again because of weak policy,” Federico said.
He also reflected on the lasting impact of his daughter’s death. “We’ve worked hard over the last year to recover. What I can tell you is there is no recovering from this.”
Federico highlighted the simplicity and uniqueness of the proposed database.
“Here’s the thing – it’s simple and unique. You’re gonna look at this and go, ‘we don’t have this already?!’” Federico said.
He believes the database would provide crucial information to communities.
“Can you imagine how many Alexander Dickeys there are walking around out there? Now we’re gonna know,” said Federico.
Graham expressed a strong message to those he believes are lenient on criminals.
“To all the judges who coddle criminals, this is your worst nightmare. To all the prosecutors who just want to clear the deck and move on to the next case, this is your worst nightmare. To parents, this is a godsend. Finally, we’re gonna grade the homework of prosecutors and judges,” Graham stated.
He added that states that refuse to comply with the database requirements and provide data would face a loss of federal grants.
This initiative marks the second time in recent years that a murder in the Carolinas has spurred criminal justice reform at the federal level.
In August 2025, Iryna Zarutska was stabbed to death on Charlotte’s light rail, which led to the passage of “Iryna’s Law” in North Carolina.
That law cracks down on pre-trial releases and mandates judges consider a suspect’s full criminal history.
Former President Donald Trump has expressed interest in a federal version of Iryna’s Law.
Graham plans to bring the law to the Senate Judiciary Committee for a vote.
He will then present it to the full Senate sometime this year. A version of the bill was introduced in the U.S. House last week.
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