A federal grand jury in Memphis, Tennessee, returned an eight-count indictment Wednesday charging former Memphis Police Officer Patric J. Ferguson with federal civil rights, kidnapping, and weapons offenses in connection with the fatal shooting of a victim identified as R.H., officials stated.
The indictment also charges Ferguson and a civilian, Joshua M. Rogers, with federal offenses for conspiring to cover up the fatal shooting and destroying evidence of the crimes.
The indictment further charges Rogers with accessory after the fact for helping Ferguson cover up his crimes.
The indictment alleges that, on or about Jan. 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.
Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
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.