Patric J Ferguson: Former Memphis cop indicted on federal charges in on-duty kidnapping and fatal shooting

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE: Patric J Ferguson, a former Memphis police officer, has found himself facing federal charges for alleged civil rights violations stemming from a fatal shooting that occurred while he was on duty.

The indictment, announced by prosecutors on Wednesday, May 8, includes charges of kidnapping and destroying evidence related to the January 5, 2021, killing.

According to statements from the US attorney's office, Ferguson, 32, stands accused of kidnapping Robert Howard while on duty and subsequently fatally shooting him in the head inside his patrol car.

Patric Ferguson faces parallel state and federal charges

Prosecutors assert that Ferguson then collaborated with an accomplice, Joshua M Rogers, to dispose of the victim's body in the Wolf River in Memphis. Rogers is alleged to have furthered the cover-up by selling the car used in transporting the victim's body to a scrap metal dealership.

Though the victim is identified only as RH by federal authorities, Ferguson has already faced charges in state court for the same incident, including first-degree murder, kidnapping, abuse of a corpse, and official misconduct in the death of Howard, reported US News.

What are the charges against Joshua M Rogers?

In addition to Ferguson's charges, Rogers has also been indicted on state charges of evidence tampering, abuse of a corpse, and being an accessory after the kiling.

Both Ferguson and Rogers had previously been released on bond in connection with the state charges, leaving questions regarding their current legal status with respect to the federal indictment.

Collaborative investigation leads to federal prosecution in Tennessee

The case was investigated by the FBI's Memphis Field Office in conjunction with the Memphis Police Department, per Office of Public Affairs.

Assistant US Attorney David Pritchard, alongside Trial Attorneys Maura White and Tenette Smith from the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division, are handling the prosecution of the case in the Western District of Tennessee.