Investigators have seized firearms from the residence of Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, an Orange County Superior Court judge who was recently arrested for the murder of his wife. The prosecution has charged Ferguson with murder, stating that he sent text messages to his court clerk and bailiff confessing to the shooting while under the influence of alcohol.
In an effort to ensure public safety and prevent Ferguson from fleeing, prosecutors are seeking new bail conditions. During a search of his Anaheim home, authorities discovered 47 legally owned firearms, including the pistol used in the shooting, and over 26,000 rounds of ammunition. However, a registered rifle is still missing.
According to court documents, the fatal altercation took place after the couple argued at a restaurant on August 3. The argument continued at their Anaheim Hills residence, where Sheryl Ferguson provoked her husband by saying, “why don’t you point a real gun at me?” In response, Jeffrey Ferguson retrieved a pistol from his ankle holster and shot her in the chest. Their adult son called 911, stating that his father had consumed excessive amounts of alcohol and shot his mother.
Upon the arrival of law enforcement, Ferguson admitted to the shooting and was found to smell of alcohol. He expressed remorse, saying, “Oh man, I can’t believe I did this.” Ferguson, 72, was subsequently arrested and released on $1 million bail. His arraignment is scheduled for September 1.
In light of these developments, Ferguson’s attorneys, Paul Meyer and John Barnett, maintain that it was an accidental tragedy. They offered a brief statement but declined to answer further questions.
Ferguson has been a judge since 2015, presiding over criminal cases in Fullerton, Orange County. He began his legal career in the Orange County district attorney’s office in 1983, focusing on narcotics cases. Ferguson’s involvement in social media controversies led to admonishment by the Commission on Judicial Performance in 2017. Despite this, he served as president of the North Orange County Bar Association from 2012 to 2014.
The arrest of Judge Jeffrey Ferguson has sent shockwaves through the Southern California legal community. Officials are currently deliberating on how to handle the case, and the Orange County district attorney’s office sought guidance from state officials on any potential conflicts of interest before filing charges. Ultimately, a judge in neighboring Los Angeles County will oversee the proceedings.
Ferguson’s release from custody last week followed standard bail regulations without additional conditions. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department, responsible for the county jail, stated that they do not have the authority to impose additional restrictions. Anaheim’s police agency, the arresting agency, also did not request any additional conditions at the time of his release.
Orange County, located between Los Angeles and San Diego, is comprised of several cities, with Anaheim being the most populous. The arrest of Judge Ferguson and the subsequent revelation of the seized firearms has raised concerns among the community, as over 3 million people call Orange County home.
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