Richland County man arraigned on federal hate crime charges

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – A Richland County man accused of a racially motivated shooting appeared in federal court Tuesday as his case proceeds under federal hate crime charges.

Jonathan Felkel is accused of targeting a man he did not know because of the victim’s race, using threats and force involving a firearm. The alleged victim, Jarvis McKenzie, is Black.

Felkel appeared before a federal judge for his arraignment, where the charges against him were formally read. No bond decision was made during the hearing. Felkel remains in custody on a $1 million cash bond related to his state charges.

In addition to federal charges, Felkel is also charged with violating Richland County’s hate intimidation ordinance as well as weapon and assault-related counts.

According to investigators, the incident happened on July 17. Authorities say surveillance video shows Felkel driving into a gated community where both men lived. McKenzie was standing near the community gate early that morning when Felkel allegedly fired a gun and shouted a racial slur, telling McKenzie to keep running.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department released the surveillance footage after Felkel was arrested about a week later.

Investigators also say Felkel told law enforcement during an interrogation that he was “going to do something” to McKenzie because McKenzie was a Black man standing outside the neighborhood around 4 a.m. Felkel has remained in jail since his arrest.

Footage of the incident showed a vehicle parked in front of a gated area before a gunshot was heard.

Authorities later said an investigation found the incident to be racially motivated, reportedly by Felkel’s own admission.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced it would pursue the case as a federal hate crime, alleging Felkel interfered with McKenzie’s right to live safely in his home and community.

McKenzie’s attorney, Tyler Bailey, said the evidence in the case speaks for itself and that his client remains concerned about Felkel’s potential release.

“Everybody saw the video. You heard what he said,” Bailey said. “I don’t know anybody who’s not a racist who fires a gun at somebody for being a Black person and then uses words like ‘keep running, boy.’ The facts speak for themselves.”

Bailey said McKenzie fears for his safety and the safety of his family, including his daughter and fiancée, who still live in the neighborhood.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elle Klein said prosecutors believe Felkel should remain detained.

“Given the facts of this case as well as the charges Mr. Felkel is facing, we felt very strongly that he is a danger to the community and that he should remain detained through the resolution of this case,” Klein said.

Felkel faces federal charges for committing a hate crime and for using a firearm during a violent crime. A judge set a Jan. 20 deadline for a district judge to be assigned to the case.

If convicted of his federal charges, Felkel faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison on the housing count and an additional ten years in prison on the firearms count.

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