A federal grand jury indicted David Elliott Pritt, a former West Virginia delegate and teacher, on child exploitation charges. This comes months after he co-sponsored legislation to impose tougher penalties for sexual offenses against minors by trusted adults. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia announced that the 36-year-old, who shifted from the Democratic to the Republican Party in 2023, faces three felony charges. These include sexual exploitation of a child, coercion and enticement of a child, and witness tampering.
Prosecutors allege that Pritt coerced a minor girl to engage in sexually explicit conduct from March 2024 to January 2026 to produce visual depictions of that conduct. Additionally, he is accused of trying to intimidate the minor to prevent her from contacting law enforcement. The allegations involve a 15-year-old student from Oak Hill High School in Fayette County, where Pritt was a teacher. Pritt was arrested on July 22 after an investigation.
Pritt’s public defender has been contacted by Newsweek for comment. Pritt co-sponsored West Virginia House Bill 4695 earlier this year, which aimed to substantially increase prison sentences and fines for sexual offenses against minors, particularly for those holding positions of trust. This bill proposed adding attempts to exploit a child sexually to existing offenses and doubling the prison sentence from 20 to 40 years.
The bill also suggested doubling penalties for trusted individuals who knowingly possess or distribute material depicting a child under their care in sexually explicit conduct. Although the bill passed the House, it did not progress beyond the Senate Judiciary Committee. During the alleged offenses, Pritt was serving in the West Virginia House of Delegates and as a teacher.
Following his arrest, he was removed from all related legislative roles and withdrew his candidacy for reelection on August 4. West Virginia House Speaker Roger Hanshaw stated that the accusations were shocking, disgusting, and disappointing. He emphasized that no child should be exploited by adults in positions of trust.
“No child should ever be exploited by anyone, especially by the adults placed in positions of trust and charged with preparing young people,” Hanshaw said.
U.S. Attorney Moore Capito encouraged parents and caregivers to talk with their children about reporting inappropriate behavior as schools resume. He stated that children should know they can safely report and discuss any instances of grooming, inappropriate behavior, or abuse.
Pritt waived his right to a preliminary hearing on July 27. Capito commented on the case following the hearing. Pritt, who is married and has four children, remains in custody at the Carter County Detention Center.
Contact Newsweek editors regarding this story: Edward T. Cummins.
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