safety
Man sentenced to federal prison for hate crime against Black neighbor
By Alex Kesler, Lenah Allen, Jordan Gartner at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 17, 2026
· 4 min read
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...
Key takeaway (WIS/Gray News) - The first person charged under Richland County’s hate crime ordinance was sentenced Thursday afternoon to federal prison.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The sentencing of Jonathan Andrew Felkel to nine years in federal prison for a hate crime against his Black neighbor serves as a stark reminder of the need for continued vigilance against racial violence in our own community. While this incident occurred in South Carolina, it highlights the importance of having robust hate crime ordinances in place, like those in Richland County. In Nashville , community leaders and residents must remain committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels safe and valued. The fact that Felkel's actions were motivated by racist stereotypes and a desire to intimidate his neighbor is a chilling reminder of the work that still needs to be done to address systemic racism. As Nashville continues to grow and diversify, it is crucial that our city prioritizes education, community engagement, and accountability to prevent similar incidents from occurring here.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 4 min
Get more The Nashville stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? 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...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Alex Kesler, Lenah Allen, Jordan Gartner at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter