COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS/Gray News) – The first person charged under Richland County’s hate crime ordinance was sentenced Thursday afternoon to federal prison.

Jonathan Andrew Felkel was charged under the county’s hate crime ordinance and prosecuted in federal court. He pleaded guilty to violating the housing rights of his Black neighbor, Jarvis McKenzie.

Along with the federal hate crime charge, Felkel faced a firearms charge that was dismissed after he pleaded guilty.

Felkel’s sentence includes nine years in federal prison and three years of probation.

On July 17, 2025, authorities said surveillance video recorded Felkel driving into the gated community where he and McKenzie lived, showing him firing a gun and shouting, “You better keep running, boy,” at McKenzie, who was standing at the gate.

This recorded incident happened just weeks after the county’s hate crime ordinance was passed in June 2025.

Investigators said Felkel admitted to them that he did such actions because of McKenzie’s race, stating that he was trying to scare him, adding that because McKenzie is Black, he must be connected to “dangerous criminals.”

Prosecutors said in court that Felkel told investigators he was patrolling his neighborhood looking for Black criminals.

The judge also said in court that she handed down the stiffer sentence not only to hold Felkel accountable but also to deter others from committing similar crimes.

Before sentencing, Felkel apologized to McKenzie and said he wished he could take back his actions. He appeared in good spirits before court began, turning to blow a kiss at his family.

U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling called the sentencing a swift resolution.

“It’s almost unheard of for a federal case to move this quickly,” Stirling said.

State and federal officials stood alongside McKenzie after the sentencing.

“I can’t stop because of the situation that happened; it’s always going to play a factor in my family’s mind, my girls being there; it’s always going to be in their minds because they’re young, but I have to do what I have to do to take care of them,” McKenzie said.

McKenzie added that the crime’s impact will stay with him long after Felkel’s prison sentence.

“Thinking back to that moment, a lot of stuff goes through my mind, such as fear for my family. Being that it happened in my neighborhood, that’s supposed to be a safe place for my family to call home, and it’s not anymore. He took that away from us,” he said.

Attorney Tyler Bailey, who represented McKenzie, acknowledged the scope of the crime after the sentencing:

“He shot at Jarvis for no other reason outside of him wearing a white T-shirt and being a Black man, I think that has no place in our community and I think all sentences should reflect stiff penalties to try to deter this, the state still does not have a state hate crime statute, but I’m pleased, and Jarvis is pleased that the federal government stepped up and acted quickly,” Bailey said.

Felkel’s attorney argued his client suffered from mental health and substance abuse issues at the time of the incident. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott pushed back on that characterization.

“A drug problem doesn’t impact your heart; that’s where the hate is,” Lott said.

Lott says despite this case, he feels there will never be a state hate crime law.

“The federal government does have a hate crime law, and he was prosecuted for that, and he was looked at for that, even though we don’t have one in the state, and I doubt we’ll ever have one; we’re still gonna lock you up and prosecute you if you commit a crime like that,” he said. “Today, justice was served. Our partnership with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office shows that crimes like this are not going to be tolerated.”

Bailey said he plans to pursue justice through additional means, including a civil lawsuit.

“We’ve been Black a long time now. What he admitted to and his reasons just leave me speechless,” Bailey said.

As part of his special conditions during his supervised probation, Felkel is required to complete a mental health program and help pay for any substance abuse services. He will be given credit for the federal prison time he’s already served.

Felkel still faces state charges, including hate intimidation.