Republican Del. David Elliott Pritt, 36, is charged with enticement of a minor in an investigation of allegations that he had a sexual relationship with a student at the school where he taught, according to the federal criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court. (Carter County Detention Center)
FAYETTE COUNTY, W.Va. (WCHS) —A West Virginia lawmaker is accused of enticing a minor on Roblox and Snapchat and then engaging in sexual conduct with her, according to federal court documents filed Wednesday.
Republican Del. David Elliott Pritt, 36, is charged with enticement of a minor in an investigation of allegations that he had a sexual relationship with a student at the school where he taught, a federal criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court said.
Pritt is accused of communicating with the girl while she was in eighth grade through Roblox and Snapchat where he allegedly told her “he loved her.” At the time, he was a middle school teacher.
During the summer of 2025, Pritt is accused of sending sexually explicit photos to the minor before initiating a physical relationship with her toward the end of the year.
The complaint alleges Pritt then requested the minor come to his classroom at Oak Hill High School where he allegedly engaged in sexual activity with her. The minor told investigators this allegedly happened 5-10 times.
Investigators said the physical encounters stopped by January 2026, but communication between the two continued on Snapchat through July 2026 where he allegedly requested the girl to send him sexually explicit photos.
During this time, the complaint alleges Pritt told the girl not to tell anyone or authorities would “open up hell in our lives.”
The complaint is based on an affidavit from a Homeland Security Investigations unit. The investigation began on July 9 after the child’s family reported the allegations.
Republican Del. David Elliott Pritt, 36, is charged with enticement of a minor in an investigation of allegations that he had a sexual relationship with a student at the school where he taught, according to the federal criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court. (West Virginia Legislative Photography)
Pritt has represented Fayette County in District 50 of the House of Delegates since 2022. He was initially elected as a Democrat and changed his affiliation in 2023.
A statement from the House called the allegations disturbing.
“While these are disturbing allegations and we all should be concerned about the welfare of this student, there is a presumption of innocence and a legal process that must be permitted to proceed; the Delegate remains a Delegate unless or until he resigns or the House as a body takes action to remove him from the seat to which he was elected,” the statement said.
Del. Josh Holstein, R-Boone, released a statement as Chairman of the West Virginia Republican Party, calling the charges unconscionable.
“The allegations against Delegate Elliott Pritt are shocking, sickening and deeply disturbing. While every person is entitled to the presumption of innocence and due process under the law, charges involving the exploitation and abuse of children strikes at the core of the public trust. It is simply unconscionable.”
Holstein further urged Pritt to immediately resign from the House.
“Public officials are held to the highest standard of conduct. Given the seriousness of these federal charges, Delegate Pritt should immediately resign from the West Virginia House of Delegates. The people of his district deserve representation that is beyond reproach, and these allegations make it impossible for him to effectively serve.”
Holstein concluded his statement saying that Pritt should be fully prosecuted should the allegations be proven in court.
“The West Virginia Republican Party has zero tolerance for the exploitation or abuse of children,” the statement read. “If these allegations are proven in court, Delegate Pritt should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, released a statement saying Pritt has been removed from all roles connected to his service in the house.
“What Elliott Pritt is accused of doing is shocking, disgusting and disappointing in every way. My heart aches for his family, and if any part of these serious allegations are true, the law should be applied in full force. No child should ever be exploited by anyone, especially by the adults placed in positions of trust and charged with preparing young people, many of whom our statistics tell us unfortunately have no other caring adult figures in their lives. Effective immediately, Delegate Pritt has been removed from all official roles connected with his service as a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates.”
Hanshaw also urged Pritt to resign from the House, while still maintaining that he is innocent until proven guilty.
“In America, we all enjoy the presumption of innocence, and Delegate Pritt is entitled to that same constitutional protection. Public officials and leaders are, and rightfully should be, held to a higher standard. When the people place their trust in elected officials by entrusting them with the right to hold public office, more than the minimum is expected. The West Virginia House of Delegates simply will not tolerate conduct that even approaches what is alleged in the public filings released by federal law enforcement today. Delegate Pritt deserves the right to defend himself freely and fully in a court of law, but the public and his colleagues deserve more. West Virginia is entitled to representation that is unclouded by serious allegations of criminal behavior involving the exploitation of vulnerable citizens.
“I urge Elliott Pritt, for the benefit of his family and the people of his District, to spare his students and his colleagues at every level the continued embarrassments and distractions and to resign from elected office as soon as he is able.”
Pritt is currently being held at the Carter County Detention Center and is set to appear in federal court on July 27.
This story will be updated if more information becomes available.
