John W. Huber was formally installed Monday as the state's top federal prosecutor.
Huber became the 37th U.S. attorney for Utah in a ceremony at the federal courthouse in Salt Lake City attended by judges, lawyers, law officers and Huber family members.
He oversees an office of 85 people who handle criminal and civil cases in offices in Salt Lake City and St. George.
Senior Judge Dale Kimball presided at the ceremony and administered an oath of office, though a private swearing-in had been held in June after Huber's nomination by President Barack Obama was confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
"I solemnly accept responsibility to serve as a careful steward in executing and enforcing the laws of the United States in Utah, my home," Huber told the crowd.
He drew praise from U.S. Sen Mike Lee, R-Utah, who himself once served, like Huber, as an assistant U.S. attorney.
U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, lauded Obama "for making an outstanding choice for this position."
"There is a tendency sometimes with political appointees to choose the best-connected candidate or the one who has done the most favors," Hatch said. "John was selected on the basis of merit."
U.S. District Judge Dee Benson mentioned Huber's role as lead prosecutor of Timothy DeChristopher, the eco-activist who served 21 months in prison for disrupting a Bureau of Land Management oil and gas lease auction in 2008.
"He's a great attorney," Benson said. "He's tried cases before me and performed flawlessly."
Huber replaces David Barlow, Lee's former staff attorney who left the office in July 2014 to return to private practice.
A Boy Scout honor guard from Magna, where Huber grew up and still lives, presented the U.S. flag at the ceremony. The national anthem was sung by the International Children's Choir Ensemble, which included Huber's two daughters.
Huber is a former football player at the University of Utah and a graduate of the U. law school.
Before joining the U.S. attorney's office, he was a Weber County deputy county attorney and was an attorney for West Valley City for eight years, including a five-year term as chief city prosecutor.
tharvey@sltrib.com
Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune John W. Huber is sworn in as U.S. Attorney for Utah by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Kimball who administers the oath at the new Federal Courthouse in Salt Lake City on Monday, Aug. 31, 2015.
Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune John W. Huber is sworn in as U.S. Attorney for Utah as he is joined by his wife Lori while U.S. District Judge Dale A. Kimball administers the oath at the new Federal Courthouse in Salt Lake City on Monday, Aug. 31, 2015.
Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune John W. Huber rises as the new U.S. Attorney for Utah after being sworn in by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Kimball during ceremonies at the new Federal Courthouse in Salt Lake City on Monday, Aug. 31, 2015.
Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune John W. Huber is sworn in as U.S. Attorney for Utah as he is joined by his wife Lori while U.S. District Judge Dale A. Kimball administers the oath at the new Federal Courthouse in Salt Lake City on Monday, Aug. 31, 2015.
Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune John W. Huber is sworn in as U.S. Attorney for Utah as he is joined by his wife Lori while U.S. District Judge Dale A. Kimball administers the oath at the new Federal Courthouse in Salt Lake City on Monday, Aug. 31, 2015.
Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune John W. Huber, joined by his wife Lori is greeted by friends and family before being sworn in as U.S. Attorney for Utah at the new Federal Courthouse in Salt Lake City on Monday, Aug. 31, 2015.
Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune John W. Huber is greeted by friends and family before being sworn in as U.S. Attorney for Utah at the new Federal Courthouse in Salt Lake City on Monday, Aug. 31, 2015.
Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune The International Children's Choir Ensemble sings the National Anthem during swearing in ceremonies at the new Federal Courthouse in Salt Lake City for John W. Huber, the new U.S. Attorney for Utah on Monday, Aug. 31, 2015.
Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune John W. Huber, joined by his wife Lori, and daughters Eva, 12, left, and Hannah, 16, laugh as good friend Scott Romney recounts a few stories of working with John before he was sworn in as U.S. Attorney for Utah at the new Federal Courthouse in Salt Lake City on Monday, Aug. 31, 2015.
Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune John W. Huber, joined by his wife Lori, and daughters Eva, 12, left, and Hannah, 16, laugh as good friend Scott Romney recounts a few stories of working with John before he was sworn in as U.S. Attorney for Utah at the new Federal Courthouse in Salt Lake City on Monday, Aug. 31, 2015.
Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune John W. Huber, center, joined by his wife Lori, are greeted by Senator Orrin Hatch following Huber's swearing in ceremony as U.S. Attorney for Utah at the new Federal Courthouse in Salt Lake City on Monday, Aug. 31, 2015.
Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune Senator's Orrin Hatch, left, and Mike Lee join Magistrate Judge Paul M. Warner, in background as John W. Huber is sworn in as U.S. Attorney for Utah at the new Federal Courthouse in Salt Lake City on Monday, Aug. 31, 2015.
Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune John W. Huber is greeted by Senator Mike Lee during the start of the swearing in ceremony for Huber as U.S. Attorney for Utah at the new Federal Courthouse in Salt Lake City on Monday, Aug. 31, 2015.
Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune John W. Huber addresses those gathered for his swearing in as U.S. Attorney for Utah at the new Federal Courthouse in Salt Lake City on Monday, Aug. 31, 2015.
Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune John W. Huber, joined by his wife Lori, laugh as good friend Scott Romney recounts a few stories of working with John before he was sworn in as U.S. Attorney for Utah at the new Federal Courthouse in Salt Lake City on Monday, Aug. 31, 2015.
Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune John W. Huber and his wife Lori are presented with Tongan flower Lei's made by Sela Tauteoli, in honor of Huber's swearing in as U.S. Attorney at the new Federal Courthouse in Salt Lake City on Monday, Aug. 31, 2015.
Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune John W. Huber, left, is greeted by Samuel Alba, Utah's first Latino Federal judge who retired and now works as a litigator, during the swearing in ceremony of Huber as U.S. Attorney for Utah on Monday, Aug. 31, 2015 in Salt Lake City.
Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune Boy Scout Troop 1146 of Magna, present the colors during swearing in ceremonies of John W. Huber as new U.S. Attorney for Utah at the new Federal Courthouse in Salt Lake City on Monday, Aug. 31, 2015.
