Full Breakdown
West Virginia Delegate David Elliott Pritt Arrested on Federal Sex-Assault Charges
7/24/2026, 12:57:53 AM
Core Event
Republican Delegate David Elliott Pritt, the assistant majority leader in the West Virginia House of Delegates, was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals after a federal complaint charged him with coercion and enticement of a minor and third-degree sexual assault. The indictment alleges that Pritt used the online game Roblox and later Snapchat to communicate with a 15-year-old student at the middle school where he taught, eventually engaging in sexual activity in his classroom on “approximately five to 10 occasions.” The victim’s family contacted law enforcement on July 9, prompting investigators to uncover the alleged interactions. Pritt is being held at the Carter County Detention Center while the case proceeds.
Background & Context
Elected to the House of Delegates in 2022, Pritt was up for re-election this fall. In addition to his legislative duties, he worked as a teacher at a West Virginia middle school and later a high school. Prior to the arrest, Pritt had positioned himself as an opponent of child-abuse misconduct, notably championing “Raylee’s Law,” which sought to keep students under investigation for abuse in school rather than remove them. His 2022 campaign defeated incumbent Austin Haynes, who had faced sexual-harassment accusations, on a platform that highlighted “moral decisions” by voters.
Official Statements & Responses
- House Speaker Roger Hanshaw called the allegations “shocking, disgusting and disappointing,” removed Pritt from all legislative roles, and urged him to resign.
- Fayette County Schools, which oversees the schools where Pritt taught, said it is cooperating with the investigation and reaffirmed that student safety remains its highest priority.
- West Virginia GOP leaders echoed the speaker’s call for resignation, describing the accusations as “shocking, sickening, and deeply disturbing.”
Data & Statistics
- Charges: coercion and enticement of a minor; sexual assault in the third degree.
- Alleged incidents: sexual activity in the classroom on roughly five to ten occasions.
- Victim: 15-year-old female student, eighth-grade at the time of initial contact.
- Communication timeline: began in late 2024, continued through early 2025, with final Snapchat messages reported in July 2025.
Verbatim Quotes
- “My heart aches for this family, and if any part of these serious allegations are true, the law should be applied in full force," Hanshaw said.” — Delegates Speaker Roger Hanshaw — Roger Hanshaw, House Speaker
