Federal authorities have charged a former Memphis police officer with civil rights violations, kidnapping and weapons offenses in connection with the fatal shooting of a victim.
A federal grand jury in Memphis, Tennessee, returned an eight-count indictment against former Memphis Police Officer Patric J. Ferguson, 45, charging him with federal civil rights, kidnapping and weapons offenses. The indictment also charges Ferguson and a civilian, Joshua M. Rogers, 38, with federal offenses for conspiring to cover up the fatal shooting and destroying evidence of the crimes.
The indictment alleges that on or about January 5, 2021, Ferguson, while on duty as a Memphis Police Department officer, kidnapped and shot R.H. in the head, resulting in R.H.’s death. Ferguson then allegedly conspired with Rogers to cover up the fatal shooting by disposing of R.H.’s body in the Wolf River in Memphis.
The indictment further alleges that Rogers disposed of the car used to transport R.H.’s body by selling the car at a scrap metal dealership. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz for the Western District of Tennessee and Special Agent in Charge Douglas DePodesta of the FBI Memphis Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI Memphis Field Office and Memphis Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Pritchard for the Western District of Tennessee and Trial Attorneys Maura White and Tenette Smith of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
As the Grimy Times continues to investigate this case, sources close to the investigation have confirmed that the indictment is a major breakthrough in the case. The indictment marks a significant step forward in holding Ferguson accountable for his alleged crimes.
Related Federal Cases
- Former Cop Charged in Fatal Shooting Cover-Up · Tennessee
- Memphis Cop Gets 18 Months for Civil Rights Violations · Tennessee
- Mississippi Man Gets 9 Years for Memphis-Area Carjacking · Mississippi
- Masked Gunman Gets 9 Years in Memphis Carjacking · Mississippi
- Memphis Stickup: 10+ Years for Carjacking · Tennessee
Key Facts
- State: Tennessee
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
