A dark chapter edges toward closure as former Memphis Police Department officer Patric Ferguson pleaded guilty yesterday to federal charges, including civil rights, kidnapping, and weapon offenses. The case revolves around the 2021 kidnapping and murder of 30-year-old Robert Howard, whom Ferguson is accused of abducting and shooting while on duty, before his body was recovered by the Wolf River, as reported by Action News 5.
Ferguson's plea, which could lead to a 38-year prison sentence, comes ahead of a November 13 sentencing hearing, as detailed by WREG. He also admitted to disposing of Howard's body with assistance from his friend Joshua Rogers, who previously pleaded guilty to destroying evidence. Ferguson's defense attorney, C. Anne Tipton, pointed out, "Mr. Ferguson, I think, has demonstrated through certain actions starting very close in time to his arrest and throughout my representation has expressed significant remorse for what happened," as described by WREG.
Adding to the narrative, FOX13 Memphis detailed prosecutors' case against Ferguson, noting the on-duty kidnapping that led to Howard's shooting death, pointing out the calculated moves to attempt to cover up the crime, including selling the SUV used to relocate the victim's body.
The crime tsunami that Ferguson unleashed not only resulted in a life tragically cut short but now continues to ripple through the legal system as he awaits state court proceedings where he faces charges of first-degree murder, especially aggravated kidnapping, tampering with evidence, and abuse of a corpse, his regret notwithstanding, Ferguson is yet to grapple with the full gravitas of the state's gavel, although a federal plea has penciled in his fate, his attorney articulates that "This gives Mr. Ferguson the opportunity to potentially serve his debt to society in this situation and yet at some point get released from prison," according to the lawyer's comments to FOX13 Memphis.
