Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Civil Rights Crime for Racially Motivated Shooting
Summary
The Department of Justice announced that Jonathan Andrew Felkel pleaded guilty to a federal civil rights crime for a racially motivated shooting targeting his Black neighbor. The conviction stems from an incident where Felkel fired a gun and shouted racial slurs at the victim. Sentencing is pending, with a maximum penalty of 10 years.
What changed
Jonathan Andrew Felkel, 34, has pleaded guilty to violating the housing rights of his Black neighbor, J.M., under 42 U.S.C. § 3631. The incident involved Felkel firing a gun and shouting racial slurs at the victim, motivated by a belief that Black people were committing crimes in his neighborhood. Felkel admitted to assuming the victim was a criminal due to his race and intending to convey that the victim should leave the area.
This conviction carries significant implications for civil rights enforcement and housing discrimination. Felkel faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The Department of Justice emphasizes its commitment to prosecuting such racially motivated crimes to ensure the safety and peace of affected communities. Regulated entities should be aware of the severe consequences for violating civil rights laws, particularly those related to housing and hate crimes.
What to do next
- Review internal policies and training related to fair housing and civil rights protections.
- Ensure all employees understand and adhere to non-discrimination laws.
- Report any observed or experienced civil rights violations to appropriate authorities.
Penalties
Maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
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South Carolina Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Civil Rights Crime for Racially Motivated Shooting
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Share For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs The Department of Justice announced that Jonathan Andrew Felkel, 34, entered a plea of guilty today before United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis for violating the housing rights of his Black neighbor, J.M., in violation of 42 U.S.C. §. 3631.
As the defendant admitted at the plea hearing, on July 17, 2025, Felkel, while driving into the community where both he and J.M. lived, fired a gun and shouted at J.M., “You better keep running, boy!” while J.M. was standing at the community gate. Felkel further admitted that, during the investigation, he told law enforcement officers that he believed Black people were committing crimes in his neighborhood, that he had assumed J.M. was a criminal due to his race, and that he had hoped to convey to J.M. that he should “leave” and “not be around this area.”
“The defendant’s actions were deeply disturbing and completely unacceptable,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon. “We hope his conviction brings a sense of peace to the victim and greater security to Black communities across the country.”
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division; U.S. Attorney Bryan P. Stirling for the District of South Carolina; and Special Agent in Charge Kevin Moore of the FBI Columbia Field Office made the announcement.
Felkel will be sentenced at a later date. The maximum penalty is 10 years in prison.
The FBI Columbia Field Office and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elle Klein and Lamar Fyall of the District of South Carolina and Trial Attorney Sarah Armstrong of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.
Updated March 19, 2026 Components Civil Rights Division Civil Rights - Criminal Section Press Release Number: 26-273
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