Night Watch: Murderer Had 40 Charges Before Killing Logan Federico - Crime House 24/7

Podcast Summary

Podcast: Crime House Daily
Host: Katie Ring
Episode: Night Watch: Murderer Had 40 Charges Before Killing Logan Federico
Date: November 12, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode explores the tragic murder of 22-year-old Logan Federico, who was killed during a burglary in Columbia, South Carolina, on May 3, 2025. Host Katie Ring critically examines how the criminal justice system failed to prevent the tragedy, as the perpetrator, Alexander Dickey, was a repeat offender with a staggering record of 40 charges—most of them dismissed—allowing him to remain free until he committed the fatal crime. The episode blends the heartbreaking personal narrative of Logan’s family with an investigation into systemic failures and the ongoing calls for reform.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to the Case and Victim (00:02–03:00)

Katie Ring sets the emotional tone by introducing Logan Federico—her life, ambitions, and the circumstances of her murder.
- Logan was a much-loved daughter, friend, and student working towards a teaching career.
- She was targeted during a night visiting friends, following a night out in Columbia, SC.

“She was a young woman who had her entire life in front of her until it was taken away in a senseless act of violence.” — Katie Ring (00:02)

2. Logan’s Background and Timeline of Events (03:00–08:00)

Logan was attending South Piedmont Community College, working two jobs, and planning a transfer to College of Charleston to become an elementary school teacher.
A self-described Swiftie, she was known for her vivacious personality.
On May 2, 2025, Logan stayed at a friend’s rental on Cypress Street, went out for the night, and returned home safely.

3. The Murder & Initial Investigation (08:00–11:30)

Logan’s friends discover her lifeless body with a single gunshot wound the next morning.
- No evidence of a struggle or sexual assault.
Police quickly connect the crime to a string of burglaries in the same neighborhood, involving stolen vehicles and weapons.
Authorities begin a multi-jurisdictional manhunt, tracking the suspect’s location through stolen bank card transactions.

4. The Crime Spree & Arrest of Alexander Dickey (11:30–12:55)

The suspect, Alexander Dickey, is linked to:
- Multiple burglaries
- The theft of a car and weapon, used in the murder of Logan
- A spree of financial thefts and escalating violence as he flees law enforcement
Police coordinate across counties. Dickey flees into the woods, is spotted stealing another car, and ultimately is apprehended after setting a house on fire during a standoff.

“Dickey is brought to a nearby hospital and after receiving treatment, he's officially in police custody. ...they are confident that Dickey's the one who killed Logan Federico.” — Katie Ring (12:50)

5. The Shocking Criminal Record and Systemic Failures (14:01–16:58)

Dickey’s extensive rap sheet is revealed: 40 charges (25 felonies), with most either dismissed or resulting in lenient sentences.
Specific failures highlighted:
- Incomplete criminal records due to missing fingerprints
- Failure to connect charges across jurisdictions
- Early probation release for “compliance”
These oversights contributed to Dickey's continued freedom and ability to offend again.

"Dickey has barely had any consequences. He's 30 years old and he already has 40 different charges, 25 of which were felony charges. And the craziest part is that most of them were simply dismissed." — Katie Ring (11:45)

6. Logan’s Family Responds: Grief, Outrage, and Advocacy (01:13, 01:24, 16:58)

Throughout the episode, Logan’s father, Steve Federico, provides a voice of raw grief and righteous indignation, channeling his pain into activism for reform.

"I think I got cheated. I won't be able to walk her down an aisle." — Steve Federico, Logan's father (01:13)

“She was five foot three. She weighed 115 pounds. Bang. Dead, gone. Why? Because Alexander Devonte Dickey, who was arrested 39 goddamn times, 25 felonies, was on the street. How about that? ...He should have been in jail for over 140 years for all the crimes.” — Steve Federico (16:58)

Steve Federico testifies at a congressional hearing on September 29, 2025, demanding changes to criminal justice protocols, particularly around record keeping and bail for repeat offenders.

7. Public Response and Policy Debate (17:29–End)

The case sparks public outrage over persistent leniency and poor information sharing between law enforcement agencies.
Steve connects with other families of victims, forming a support network and lobbying for criminal justice reform, especially regarding:
- Stronger data sharing
- Mandatory fingerprint verification for every criminal charge

“Several of them now advocate for stronger data sharing between counties and mandatory fingerprint verification for every criminal offense. Because of this, Logan's case has become a focal point in debates about public safety and accountability.” — Katie Ring (17:40)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Steve Federico's Devastation:
- "No one's going to pinch me. I'm not going to wake up...I'm officially the father of a murdered child." (01:24)
- "Bang. Dead, gone. Why? Because Alexander Devonte Dickey, who was arrested 39 goddamn times, 25 felonies, was on the street." (16:58)
Host’s Commentary on Systemic Failure:
- “If the criminal justice system had worked as intended, Logan may still be alive.” — Katie Ring (04:13)
- “Personally, I don't know how they're still arguing over this, because how was a person with 39 arrests and 25 felonies let out on the streets? I don't think that should ever happen.” — Katie Ring (17:50)

Important Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |----------------------------------------------------|------------| | Opening remarks, introduction to Logan | 00:02–03:00| | Logan’s life and timeline of her last night | 03:00–08:00| | Discovery of the crime and early investigation | 08:00–11:30| | Manhunt and sequence of Dickey's crimes/arrest | 11:30–12:55| | Dickey’s criminal record/systemic failures | 14:01–16:58| | Steve Federico’s testimony and advocacy | 16:58–17:29| | Public debate, host’s reflection | 17:29–End |

Summary of Takeaways

Tragedy Compounded by Systemic Failures: Despite a history of violent and repeat offenses, Alexander Dickey was repeatedly released into the community, demonstrating glaring gaps in the criminal justice system.
Victim’s Family Becomes Catalyst for Reform: Logan Federico’s family, especially her father Steve, channels grief into advocacy—demanding better recordkeeping, stricter bail, and data sharing across jurisdictions.
Ongoing Case and Growing Movement: As prosecution unfolds and public debate escalates, Logan’s case is now central to discussions on accountability and public safety reform in South Carolina and beyond.

Host’s Closing Call: “What did you think of tonight's case? Drop your thoughts and theories in the comments. ...Because the pursuit of justice never stops.” — Katie Ring (End)

This summary provides a complete yet concise understanding of the episode’s central themes, investigative details, and emotional impact, preserving key voices and offering clear points for those who haven’t listened.

Transcript

A (0:02)

Hi, it's Katie. I'm excited to let you know that you can watch video episodes of Crime House Daily Night Watch on Spotify. It's the same gripping true crime stories you've been getting here now with added videos and photos that give you even more depth and detail into each case. Search Night Watch on Spotify and hit follow so you never miss an episode. This is Crime House. She was a young woman who had her entire life in front of her until it was taken away in a senseless act of violence. Tonight we're covering a tragic case of 22 year old Logan Federico who who was viciously murdered on May 3, 2025 in a burglary gone wrong. If you're active on social media, you may have seen clips of her father passionately advocating on his daughter's behalf. But one of the most heartbreaking parts of this case for me is that it all could have been prevented. Let's get into it.

B (1:13)

I think I got cheated. I won't be able to walk her down an aisle.

A (1:17)

One shot, one life gone and one father left to pay the unthinkable price.

B (1:24)

No one's going to pinch me. I'm not going to wake up. Think about that. I'm officially the father of a murdered child.

A (1:35)

Hi, I'm Katie Ring, a true crime analyst, self defense instructor and fierce advocate for victims. And this is Crime House Daily, your essential true crime companion. Every weekday morning and night here at Crime House Daily, we dig into the true crime stories making headlines right now, where justice is unfolding, arrests are happening and new evidence is emerging. Every morning, First Watch gets you up to speed on the biggest cases. Every night, Nightwatch takes you deeper. If you want to follow a case from the first 911 call to the final verdict, this is the place for you. Follow Crime House Daily Wherever you get your podcasts, leave a review and for ad free listening, subscribe to Crime House plus on Apple Podcasts. For video, check out our YouTube channel Rimehouse Daily or on Spotify by searching Night Watch True Crime Cases Daily in the search tab. This episode discusses active criminal cases and breaking news. The information we share is based on what's publicly available at the time of recording and may change as new evidence comes to light. We aim to inform, not to decide guilt or innocence. So everyone mentioned is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 22 year old Logan Federico was from North Carolina. She was a beloved daughter, sister and friend who was taken from her loved ones too soon. Logan's murder sparked a multi jurisdictional manhunt by South Carolina law enforcement. But when the truth about her killer came to light, Logan's family realized that the system had failed their daughter because her killer had a lengthy and violent record but was roaming the streets freely. Now Logan's father is confronting lawmakers and demanding answers to a single question. Why did they let a man with this kind of record back onto the streets? In tonight's case, many are now left with a haunting thought. If the criminal justice system had worked as intended, Logan may still be alive. She she might be achieving everything she set out to do. So who was the 22 year old young woman with her entire life in front of her whose death hopefully sparks systemic change? Logan Federico grew up in Waxa, North Carolina, located just outside the city of Charlotte. She was loved dearly by everyone who surrounded her. She was known to have a big personality and loved a fun night out with the girls, but she was also very driven. Before her life was taken, Logan was a student at South Piedmont community college, about 10 miles from where she grew up. At the time, she is working two jobs because she's saving up to transfer to the College of Charleston where she decides she wants to study to become an elementary school teacher. In May 2025, Logan heads down to the University of South Carolina to visit some of her best friends. She is a people person who loves hanging out with her friends and these are the weekends she lives for. Logan is also a huge Swiftie, and now that she's officially 22 years old, she says her life's soundtrack is the Taylor Swift song 22. She says it's almost like the song was written just for her. I can imagine her blasting it on the way down to visit her friends. Just like the song, she's embarking on adulthood but still finding time to enjoy being young. Once she arrives in South Carolina, she heads to her friend's rental house located on Cypress street in Columbia. And then her and her friends head out for a night out in downtown Columbia where they bar hop and have a blast dancing together to live music. A little before 3am on May 3, the crew is ready to call it a night, so they head back to the house. Usually you'd expect something bad to happen on the way home, but they all make it safely to the house and end up passing out. But when Logan's friends wake up, they realize something is horribly wrong. They realize that the house has clearly been broken into. As her friends look around, they make their way into the room where Logan was sleeping. And when they enter, they find Logan lying on the floor with a bullet wound to her chest, and she appears to be dead. Around 11:15am The Columbia Police Department receives a call about a young woman who was found dead in her overnight rental. Strangely, this call comes in just one minute after a separate report about a stolen vehicle. While the two calls don't seem related, both groups of responding officers are heading to the same neighborhood on Cypress Street. Inside Logan's rental, officers are met with a tragic scene. They first notice all of the signs of a break in, including the fact that Logan's wallet is missing. Then, when they examine Logan's body, they notice a single gunshot wound to her chest. There doesn't appear to be signs of a struggle, and Logan doesn't appear to have any other injuries or signs of sexual assault. Officers speak with her friends to try and understand what could have happened. But they don't suspect Logan's friends or anything about their night out is connected to the death, especially because of the other police report they received next door. Their neighbors had reported that one of their cars and one of their guns was stolen. Authorities believe that after stealing the car and the gun from the neighbors, the suspect headed over to the next house to rob it. And that's when he encountered 22 year old Logan Federico with a violent murder and an armed suspect. Authorities realize that they need to start Moving quickly after 22 year old Logan Federico is found dead on the morning of May 3, 2025. Investigators quickly realized that her killer had burglarized a different home earlier in the night and had stolen a car and a gun that had been used to murder. And that's not all. Pretty soon, CPD officers learn that another nearby house was burglarized shortly after Logan died. The robber also took bank cards from that house. Police need to find the suspect before anyone else gets hurt. Fortunately, there's a ton of information they can use to track him down, including the vehicle he's driving and the bank cards he's stolen. They begin monitoring activity on all of the cards, and soon one of the cards pings in Lexington county, which is only three miles west of Colombia. Soon after, investigators are alerted to another transaction. And another. And another. Officers are watching the data in real time as a suspect they're looking for goes on what they call a shopping spree. Next, he travels about another 30 miles down to Saluda County. Officers alert their colleagues in neighboring jurisdictions and get ready to close in. But as they gear up, they notice something strange. The transactions suddenly stop. They have no idea where he is now. Worry Begins to set in. As authorities fear they may have waited too long. They prepare to look for other clues before Logan's killer slips through their fingers. And then all of a sudden, authorities in Saluda county find something. There's a reported vehicle breakdown in their county. The driver called a tow truck, and based on the information from the towing company, the broken down vehicle matches the one stolen from Cypress street earlier that day. Saluda county authorities alert Lexington county authorities that their killer is headed back to their county, to the town of Gaston. Now, officers from the Lexington county sheriff's department, the Columbia police department, and the South Carolina law enforcement division, otherwise known as sled, join forces to zero in on the suspect. Luckily, the tow truck driver has the address the suspect requested the car be towed to. So police rush over. But once they arrive, they quickly find themselves with another problem on their hands. The suspect realizes what's happening and he flees into the woods. Officers chase after him, but pretty soon, he's out of sight. They continue combing the woods for any sign of him. Meanwhile, back at the office, other officers learn that their suspect's name is Alexander Dickey. And it turns out Dickey has an extensive criminal history. But despite this history, Dickey has barely had any consequences. He is 30 years old and he already has 40 different charges, 25 of which were felony charges. And the craziest part is that most of them were simply dismissed. He was sentenced in eight cases stemming from charges such as robbery, drug possession and larceny. Most recently, in 2023, Dickey pleaded guilty to third degree burglary. He received a five year prison sentence in that case, but was given credit for over 410 days that had already been served. After his release, he was put on probation, which was ended early, for, quote, compliance. Now authorities are realizing that Dickey did not change his ways after regaining freedom. Surprise, surprise. They believe Logan's murder was a way of him getting away with burglary again instead of facing harsher punishment as a repeat offender. And if they don't catch him, he just might get away with it. Officers from the joint team continue their relentless search for him. They combed through the woods throughout the night and into the next day. And it was only a matter of time before Dickie's arrogance betrayed him. Because then around 4pm on Sunday, May 4, they get a call from a Lexington county resident who says they saw a driver steal a car before fleeing on foot. The driver's description matches Alexander Dickey. Officers fan out to that area, and surprisingly, Dickey returns to his friend's house in Gaston, but he can't get in, so he forces his way inside. Fortunately, authorities are notified about the struggle and race back to the house where they order Dickie to surrender. But he'll do anything to avoid facing the consequences for his crimes. Instead of exiting the house peacefully, Dickie sets it on fire. In the chaos, some officers risk their own lives and walk into the fire to drag him out of the house. Dickie is brought to a nearby hospital and after receiving treatment, he's officially in police custody. Deputies from the Lexington County Sheriff's Office bring him into their station where investigators question him for several hours. With all of the evidence they've collected so far, they are confident that Diggy's the one who killed Logan Federico. He's handed a slew of charges including murder, two counts of first degree burglary, two counts of possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, two counts of grand larceny, grand larceny of a motor vehicle, and three counts of financial transaction card theft. He's denied bond and held in Lexington county, but the case is far from over. Soon the full truth of Alexander Dickey's past will be revealed.