New judges named in Allen, Monroe counties

An Allen County magistrate judge has been selected to fill one of two upcoming vacancies in the Allen County courts.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Thursday that Senior Magistrate David M. Zent will succeed retiring Judge John F. Surbeck, Jr. in the Allen Superior Court Criminal Division. Surbeck will retire Dec. 31.

Zent currently serves as a senior magistrate judge in the Allen Superior Court Misdemeanor and Traffic Division and has served as a magistrate judge in the Criminal Division since 2015. Prior to becoming a magistrate judge, Zent worked in public and private practice, serving in the Allen County Public Defender’s and Prosecutor’s offices and in the Federal Public Defender’s Office.

Zent was one of six candidates interviewed by the Allen County Judicial Nominating Commission in August to succeed Surbeck. The JNC named Zent, Magistrate Judge Steven Godfrey and attorney Anthony Churchward as the three finalists for Surbeck’s seat, and the final selection fell to Holcomb.

The governor is also in the process of choosing from among three finalists to succeed Allen Superior Judge Stanley A. Levine, who is also retiring this year. The Allen JNC last month chose as finalists to succeed Levine Magistrate Judge Jennifer DeGroote and Fort Wayne attorneys George Sistevaris and Andrew Williams.

Also, on Friday, Holcomb appointed Monroe County deputy prosecuting attorney Judith Corcoran Benckart as the newest Monroe Circuit Court judge. Benckart succeeds Judge Kenneth G. Todd, who retired last month after a 40-year judicial career.

Prior to joining the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office, Benckart worked for the Indiana Department of Revenue and was an administrative law judge for the Indiana Public Service Commission. She has also worked in private practice.

Both Zent and Benckart will be sworn in to their new judicial roles at a date to be determined.