Oak Hill City Council votes to remove banner honoring Elliott Pritt

The Oak Hill City Council voted unanimously to remove a military banner honoring former West Virginia State Delegate Elliott Pritt. The banner, which recognized Pritt’s service in the United States Air Force, had been displayed in downtown Oak Hill.

Pritt, a former schoolteacher and staff sergeant, is facing allegations of enticing an underage girl into a sexual relationship. The alleged misconduct reportedly began when the victim was in the eighth grade. Following his arrest in July, Pritt resigned his seat in the House of Delegates and recently withdrew from the November General Election ballot. Due to his withdrawal, the West Virginia Republican Party will not field a candidate for the 50th District.

Local resident Chris Pennington advocated for the banner's removal, stating that extraordinary circumstances require reconsidering public honors when allegations involve the grooming of a child by an adult in a position of trust.