MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A former Memphis police officer has pleaded guilty to federal charges in connection with the deadly shooting of his ex-girlfriend’s boyfriend in 2021.
In court Thursday, Patric Ferguson admitted to kidnapping Robert Howard, shooting him in the back of the head, and then dumping his body in the Wolf River.
As part of a plea agreement, Ferguson would receive 38 years in prison and waive his right to an appeal. A judge still has to sign off on the deal.
In May, Joshua Rogers pleaded guilty in federal court to destroying evidence by helping Ferguson dispose of Howard’s body.
Prosecutors said on January 5, 2021, while Ferguson was on duty, he went to the home of his ex-girlfriend, a fellow MPD officer, and confronted her new boyfriend, Howard.
Ferguson admitted to forcing Howard into the back of his squad car, driving him to a parking lot, shooting him, and then leaving his body in a field near an apartment complex.
Prosecutors said Ferguson later called his childhood friend Rogers to help get rid of the body.
They said Ferguson and Rogers attached chains, padlocks, and cinder blocks to Howard’s body before throwing the body from a Memphis bridge into the Wolf River.
Ferguson admitted they sold Roger’s SUV, which was used to move the body to a salvage yard, to get rid of any evidence.
Ferguson’s defense attorney, C. Anne Tipton, said there are no winners in this situation, and Ferguson is sorry for what he did.
“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,” said Tipton.
Ferguson also has a case pending in state court where he is facing charges of first-degree murder, especially aggravated kidnapping, tampering with evidence, and abuse of a corpse.
Ferguson is scheduled to return to federal court on November 13, when a judge will decide whether to accept the plea agreement.