Former policeman accused of murdering a man in the back of a police car and dumping his body in a river – investigators discover shocking details based on his cellphone search history

A former Memphis police officer now faces federal charges for allegedly kidnapping and murdering an on-duty man and dumping his body in a river.

On May 8, a federal grand jury indicted Patric J. Ferguson, 32, on eight counts of federal civil rights, kidnapping and gun crimes in reference to a fatal 2021 shooting.

According to Law & Crime, on January 5, 2021, Ferguson went to a home belonging to 30-12 months-old Robert Lee Howard and abducted him at gunpoint. He forced Howard into the back of the police car and shot him in the head.

The federal indictment says Ferguson then approached a man named Joshua Rogers to cover up the murder. Rogers was also charged in reference to the murder.

He and Rogers allegedly dumped Howard’s body in the Wolf River in Memphis and then took the car used to move the body to a salvage yard to destroy it.

The next day, Howard’s girlfriend reported him missing. On January 10, 2021, authorities found Howard’s body. Ferguson and Rogers were arrested a few days later.

Investigators found search history on Ferguson’s phone related to cleansing up crime scenes and destroying evidence, based on an affidavit filed by the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

“Evidence was obtained indicating that Ferguson purchased cinder blocks, chains and padlocks at a hardware store, which investigators later determined Ferguson used to conceal evidence,” affidavit To read. “Additionally, investigators obtained surveillance video that recorded the victim being shot while Ferguson was on duty.”

A state grand jury indicted Ferguson on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, misconduct and government oppression.

The state also charged Rogers with accessory after the fact, abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence. Rogers also faces federal charges of tampering with evidence and conspiracy for allegedly conspiring with Ferguson to hide evidence of the shooting.

Police haven’t yet released their theory on the motive for the murder.

When Ferguson was arrested, he waived his Miranda right to stay silent and confessed that he went to Howard’s house, pushed him into the back of a police car and asked Rogers to assist move the body.

Ferguson posted $400,000 bail in June 2023 and is currently awaiting trial.