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COP'S NEW JOB
Gabby Petito traffic stop officer named in $50million wrongful death suit is now a Moab tour guide of $499 day trips
Inside officer Eric Pratt's new role in Moab
THE police officer accused of "bungling" a traffic stop after Gabby Petito and her killer boyfriend were pulled over is now working as a tour guide in Utah, The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal.
Eric Pratt went on to become a detective for the Moab Police Department, despite being named in a $50 million lawsuit filed against law enforcement by Petito's family.
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The case against Moab PD is still ongoing after Petito's family filed a second amended complaint in March this year.
However, Pratt and his colleagues have now been removed as defendants, as they couldn't afford to pay a $200,000 bond that was required by the state.
Pratt's actions during the traffic stop on August 12, 2021, still feature in the complaint, which alleges "negligent hiring and failure to properly train" led to Petito's death.
An independent investigation suggested Pratt and his colleague Daniel Robbins be placed on probation, but the department refused to confirm if they ever were.
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In a report released publicly following the inquiry, Pratt claimed there was nothing he could have done to prevent Petito's murder.
"In fact if we’d done anything differently, the resulting murder... would’ve happened just the same,” he wrote in an email, adding, “but the public outcry and scrutiny would've only been enhanced from where it is now."
Business details online suggest Pratt, 41, is now working as an "authorized representative" for Moab Luxury Tours, LLC.
Further details show him as the "registered agent" for the company, which applied for a license in 2023 and is currently active.
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Moab Luxury Tours offers guided tours of Canyonlands and Arches National Parks in a luxury SUV limousine, according to its website.
Brian Laundrie's mom reveals 'sociopathic relationship with son in burn after reading' letter after Gabby Petito murder
The U.S. Sun discovered a photograph of Pratt on the official Facebook and Instagram for the company, posing with two women on a tour of Canyonlands.
One social media user wrote underneath the photo on Facebook, "Who's the handsome gentleman in the center?"
A review posted in June on TripAdvisor for Moab Luxury Tours also reads, "Eric was prompt and professional. We were staying at the Fairfield Inn in Moab and they did not supply a shuttle. We needed transportation to Red Cliffs Lodge. He was happy to help us."
The company offers four different booking options on its website, including a $499 four-hour morning or afternoon tour of Arches or Canyonlands.
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It also offers all-day tours for $899 and professional chauffeur and limo services for $99 per hour.
The website says the company's mission is to provide "unforgettable and enriching experiences for individuals seeking to explore the mesmerizing beauty of the local national parks, including Arches, Canyonlands, and more.
"Guided by our team of passionate and knowledgeable experts, we aim to elevate the traditional tour experience by offering exclusive access to hidden gems, awe-inspiring viewpoints, and lesser-known trails.
"With utmost attention to detail, we curate exceptional services, ensuring every aspect of our guests' journey is seamlessly orchestrated, from transportation and accommodations to dining and activities."
Pratt began working for Moab PD in January 2021 but removed the department from his LinkedIn in 2023.
His profile now simply reads, "Law Enforcement Officer - Law Enforcement Agency/Government".
It is not known if he is now working for another department or doing tours full-time, but sources say he has often had a side job as police work in Utah is not well paid.
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Pratt, Moab Luxury Tours, and the Moab Police Department for comment but did not hear back.
Brian C. Stewart, an attorney for the Petito family from Parker & McConkie in Salt Lake City, previously told The U.S. Sun: "If he [Eric] has not been terminated yet, it is overdue. The people of Moab deserve better."
Pratt previously quit the force before becoming involved in the Petito case and even ran a restaurant for a period.
Before returning to the job, Pratt opened up about his career on a podcast, in which he complained police work "doesn't pay enough" for the kind of stress he's under working 10 hours a day.
The U.S. Sun previously visited the town to hear from residents about the police department's decision to give Pratt a detective role following the Petito incident.
Eric Pratt's involvement in the case
August 2021 - Traffic officer Eric Pratt and his colleagues responded to the 911 call involving Gabby Petito, 22, and her partner Brian Laundrie after he was reportedly seen slapping her in Moab, Utah.
Officers allegedly misclassified it as a mental health break after being confronted by an emotional Petito - who struggled with anxiety - and failed to document any injury she suffered.
September 2021 - Laundrie returned home to Florida from the trip and Gabby's parents reported her missing to Suffolk County police. Laundrie's family issued a statement saying he had retained an attorney and would not be cooperating with investigators.
Florida's North Port police revealed he was a person of interest in the case and he went missing after telling his family he was going on a hike.
Utah police release body camera footage of the traffic stop with Petito and Laundrie, showing Pratt and his colleagues.
Days later the young woman's body is discovered in Wyoming.
An internal investigation was launched by Moab PD regarding the traffic stop and Pratt was interviewed about his involvement.
October 2021 - Teton County Coroner Dr Brent Blue confirmed Gabby Petito died by strangulation.
Laundrie's remains were later found at the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park after he shot himself, leaving behind a suicide note in which he confessed to killing Petito.
January 2022 - It was revealed Moab Police made several mistakes while interacting with Petito and Laundrie, according to the independent investigation.
An investigator with the Price City Police Department found officers failed to cite Petito for assault.
In emails to Moab Police Chief Bret Edge, Pratt said that he was horrified and overcome with emotion after Petito's death but there was nothing he could have done to prevent her death.
Capt. Brandon Ratcliffe, the third-party officer who conducted the investigation, wrote in the 99-page report, "The officers protected the victim by separating Brian from Gabby; however, I do not find that they enforced the law.
"They responded to a confirmed domestic violence incident and they had evidence showing an assault had taken place."
Moab PD failed to respond to requests asking if Pratt and his colleague Daniel Robbins had been placed on probation, which was suggested in the report.
November 2022 - Petito's family filed their $50 million wrongful death lawsuit naming Moab PD and the officers involved in the traffic stop.
January/February 2023 - Pratt removed Moab PD from his LinkedIn but stated he was still a law enforcement officer.
Asked directly if he has left Moab PD, Lisa Church, Moab City Communications and Engagement Manager, simply said, "The City of Moab does not comment on matters related to active litigation."
March 2023 - Moab PD and its officers lawyered up but denied they were responsible for Petito's death, while her family filed an amended complaint in the case.
March 2024 - The family filed a second amended complaint but removed the individual officers involved as they could not pay the $200,000 bond required.
July 2024 - Moab PD is looking to have the case dismissed but it currently continues.
Local shop manager, Danielle Hunt, said, "I did hear that one of the officers got promoted. That's honestly going in the wrong direction in my opinion.
"That's the worst thing that [they] could have done, promote somebody that f***ed up, are you kidding me?
"I was flabbergasted by it. I don't believe it should have happened."
Pratt was one of the defendants in a wrongful death suit that was first filed by Petito's parents, Nichole Schmidt and Joseph Petito, in November 2022.
Attorney Stewart said officers "failed to properly investigate the reported domestic assault."
A 911 call came in from a witness claiming Petito and her boyfriend were involved in a dispute in August 2021.
Laundrie was allegedly seen "slapping his girlfriend," but when Petito admitted to hitting him, police deemed her the "primary aggressor."
Officers, including Pratt, told the couple to go their separate ways for the night but no arrests were made.
The case had previously been prevented from proceeding and a stay was imposed by the Court.
But in February 2024, the Utah District Court cleared the way for the case to move forward and Petito's family refiled the complaint.
Petito's body was found in Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming on September 19, 2021.
Autopsy results showed she died by "manual strangulation."
We will never stop seeking justice for Gabby.
Nichole Schmidt
Laundrie fled his parent's home in Florida after returning home without his girlfriend and driving their white van.
A month after her body was found, he was discovered dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Florida's Carlton Reserve.
In a suicide note left behind, he said he killed Petito, but bizarrely claimed she had been suffering from an injury and refused for him to get help.
In a statement regarding the lawsuit against Moab PD, Petito's mom Nichole said, "We will never stop seeking justice for Gabby and working for the protection of other victims of domestic violence."
Moab PD is being represented by Mitchell A. Stephens, a top-rated business litigation attorney in Salt Lake City.
Mitchell previously told The U.S. Sun, "I can confirm that Moab City and its police officers intend to vigorously defend the lawsuit.
"The Moab City Police Department did not cause Brian Laundrie to murder Gabrielle Petito.
"When called, Moab's officers responded with kindness and respect.
"They also separated Ms. Petito and Mr. Laundrie for the night. The next morning, Ms. Petito and Mr. Laundrie chose to continue their ongoing road trip, traveling hundreds of miles together over the following weeks."
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He went on to blast the lawsuit brought by the family, claiming, "The plaintiffs' $50 million demand appears to be a publicity stunt.
"Even if the plaintiffs believe that Moab City is liable, it strains credibility to suggest the City is 15-20 times more responsible for Ms. Petito's death than Brian Laundrie, her murderer."
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