North Charleston, South Carolina — Stephen Federico, a grieving father from North Carolina, has urged Attorney General Todd Blanche and Republican Senator Darline Graham to support a bill for establishing a national database of repeat violent offenders. Federico’s plea comes after the bill, introduced six months ago by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, failed to advance.
At a law enforcement roundtable in North Charleston, Federico shared his determination to see the passage of Logan’s Law, named in honor of his daughter, Logan Federico. She was tragically killed during a break-in while visiting friends in Columbia, South Carolina, in 2025. The suspect in her murder had faced over 25 felony charges and numerous arrests, yet managed to evade enduring incarceration.
“The criminal is more important than the innocent,” Federico expressed, seated alongside Blanche and Graham. He described how parents like him are the “underdogs,” battling violent crime and “career felons” like the one accused of his daughter’s death.
Originally introduced in the Senate by Lindsey Graham before his unexpected death in July, the bill seeks to create a publicly accessible federal database of those convicted of violent crimes. It also aims to enhance data-sharing between states to shield the public from repeat offenders.
The bill had support from South Carolina GOP Rep. Russell Fry, who competed against Darline Graham in the special primary for her late brother’s Senate seat and attended the event. Federico attributed his daughter’s death to the failure of local police departments to recognize outstanding warrants for the suspect in various jurisdictions. The alleged perpetrator awaits trial for murder, burglary, and gun charges.
Despite Republican control of Congress and the White House, the bill has seen little progress in Washington. However, in a brief press conference following the roundtable, Blanche and Graham expressed confidence that the bill could soon pass with bipartisan support. They noted the possible challenges it might face in a Democratic-led Congress in the future.
Currently, Darline Graham faces a tight race against Democrat Annie Andrews for her Senate seat. Despite a long-standing Republican dominance in South Carolina Senate races, recent polls show the contenders in a close contest. The Cook Political Report recently adjusted the race’s rating from “solid Republican” to “likely Republican.”
“I wish I had a crystal ball, but I don’t,” Graham remarked, underscoring that Logan’s Law should transcend party lines and serve as a common-sense measure to protect citizens.
Moved by emotion at the roundtable, Federico pledged to do whatever it takes to ensure the law’s enactment. He declared, “I’m not a girl dad anymore because of this. I’m not a girl dad anymore, and that’s not fair to me. This was preventable. And dammit, I’m not going to save one more life. I’m going to save thousands.”