ST. AUGUSTINE – Managing Assistant State Attorney Benjamin Rich was appointed St. Johns County Judge by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday.

Rich has been an Assistant State Attorney with us since 2010. He has managed our St. Augustine office for the last six years.

Following Rich’s transition to the bench next month, Assistant State Attorney Sarah Thomas will take over as the new Managing Assistant State Attorney for the St. Augustine office.

Thomas is currently prosecuting homicide and major crime cases in the county. She interned with us before passing the Florida Bar Exam and beginning her tenure as a prosecutor in 2015.

“Ben Rich is an honest and genuine man who will serve from the bench with dignity and grace. He will do an outstanding job – as he did while working with us at the State Attorney’s Office,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said. “Sarah Thomas is a gifted attorney and a fearless prosecutor. I have the utmost confidence in her ability to lead the St. Augustine Office. It is extremely gratifying to be associated with these two incredible people. They serve our citizenry well!”