Utah cop Eric Pratt who ignored Gabby Petito's cries at traffic stop has new job after being made detective
MOAB, UTAH: Moab officer Eric Pratt was one of the officers responding to a domestic violence call against Brian Laundrie just days before Gabby Petito's disappearance and murder. Despite being accused of ignoring a distraught Gabby during a traffic stop with Brian, the officer continues to work as he was recently made detective, and new sources claim that he even has a new weekend job as a prison guard.
The accused Moab police officer was one of the defendants in the wrongful death suit filed by Gabby's parents who are seeking $50 million in damages. The lawsuit also accuses Pratt of threatening to kill his ex-lover with a crowbar in 2017 after their affair at the time fizzled out. Pratt was dragged into the lawsuit after he showed poor judgment when he came across a distraught Gabby Petito who could be seen crying in the bodycam footage during an August 21, 2021, traffic stop. Despite the controversies and accusations, Pratt is employed. A source told The Sun, "Pratt is still actively employed by Moab PD, he is currently working as a detective. He is also working a security job at Gunnison State Prison on the weekends."
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Back in August 2022, The Sun confirmed that Pratt moved into a detective role and has been in the position since December 2021. A source explained to the outlet that the change in the role is a promotion in responsibility but not rank in Utah. However, Pratt is no longer working as a patrol officer. It is also believed that Pratt is still a school resource officer in all three of the district’s schools which are Helen M Knight Elementary School, Margaret L Hopkin Middle School, and Grand County High School. Apart from becoming a detective from a patrol officer, Pratt is also working a security job, which is a development that has upset grieving families.
Brian Stewart of Salt Lake City law firm Parker & McConkie, who is representing Gabby's parents in the suit, Nichole Schmidt and Joseph Petito, explained in an exclusive statement to the outlet, "As was described in the filed complaint, we believe that Moab City Police Department knew or should have known that Officer Pratt had a history of pervasive professional and sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment and intimate partner violence, is manifestly unfit and unsafe to be a police officer. The Petito family is disappointed that Moab City does not appear to take the allegations against Officer Pratt seriously. Gabby deserved better and the people of Moab deserve better now."