Gov. Spencer Cox appoints Eric Gentry to Utah’s 5th District Court

Eric Gentry. Photo: Utah Governor’s Office

SALT LAKE CITY – Eric Gentry has been appointed by Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox to the Fifth District Court to succeed retiring Judge Michael Westfall.

The Utah Senate’s final approval is necessary for Gentry’s nomination.

The Fifth District Court is one of eight judicial districts in Utah, and it serves Beaver, Washington, and Iron counties.

“I appreciate Eric’s willingness to serve our great state in this new capacity,” Cox said. “His years of experience will be a tremendous asset as he takes on the responsibilities of this role, and I’m confident he will apply the law fairly.”

Gentry earned his J.D. from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University after graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, Child Development/Special Education from Southern Utah University.

Gentry has been a prosecutor for many years and is currently a Deputy County Attorney in Washington County, where he has worked since 2007. He is currently working for the Special Victims Prosecution team, where he oversees a caseload that is made up entirely of high-profile homicide, child and adult sexual crime, and physical abuse cases.

He formerly worked as an assistant city attorney for the city of St. George and as a prosecutor for the cities of Enterprise, Santa Clara, and Enterprise. Additionally, Gentry worked as an associate in St. George at Snow, Jensen & Reese and Christopherson, Farris, White & Utley.

“I am humbled and honored to be appointed by Gov. Cox to the Fifth District Court,” Gentry said. “I am especially grateful for the opportunity to serve in the communities of my family’s heritage and home. If confirmed, I commit to the people of southern Utah that I will diligently fulfill the responsibilities and duties of my appointment, and will apply the law in a fair, impartial, and respectful manner.”