South Carolina Man to Plead Guilty to Hate Crime Charge

The first person charged under Richland County's hate crime ordinance will admit to violating his Black neighbor's housing rights.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Jonathan Andrew Felkel, a 34-year-old Columbia, South Carolina resident, has agreed to plead guilty to a federal hate crime charge for threatening and firing a gun at his Black neighbor, Jarvis McKenzie, in their gated community in July 2025. Felkel faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and court-ordered supervision upon release.

Why it matters

This case represents the first prosecution under Richland County's new hate crime ordinance, which aims to protect residents' housing rights regardless of race. It highlights ongoing racial tensions and bias-motivated incidents in some South Carolina communities.

The details

According to court documents, Felkel was driving into the gated community where he and McKenzie lived on July 17, 2025, when he saw McKenzie standing at the gate. Felkel then allegedly fired a gun and shouted, 'You better keep running, boy,' at McKenzie.

  • On July 17, 2025, the alleged incident occurred in the gated community.
  • In December 2025, a federal jury returned an indictment against Felkel.

The players

Jonathan Andrew Felkel

A 34-year-old Columbia, South Carolina resident who has agreed to plead guilty to a federal hate crime charge for threatening and firing a gun at his Black neighbor.

Jarvis McKenzie

Felkel's Black neighbor who was the victim of the alleged hate crime incident in their gated community.

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What they’re saying

“You better keep running, boy”

— Jonathan Andrew Felkel (Court documents)

What’s next

Felkel is expected to change his plea in federal court on a future date.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of hate crime laws in protecting the housing rights of all residents, regardless of race, and sends a strong message that bias-motivated acts will not be tolerated in Richland County and South Carolina.