[CLSTR]
< Back to situations

Monitor this situation.

[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [POLITICS]

6 clusters · 14 sources · 30 days · First seen · Last updated

West Virginia delegate Elliott Pritt federal indictment

Overview

In July 2026, West Virginia House delegate and Fayette County high‑school teacher David Elliott Pritt was arrested on federal charges of enticement of a minor. Prosecutors alleged he groomed a 15‑year‑old girl through Roblox and Snapchat, exchanged explicit images, and met her in his classroom at Oak Hill High School. Following his arrest, his teaching certification was suspended, he was removed from pay, and the House stripped him of his assistant majority‑leader role and committee assignments.

Pritt filed a one‑sentence resignation on July 27. While Secretary of State Kris Warner initially noted Pritt remained eligible for the 2026 ballot under 2025 vacancy laws, Pritt has since withdrawn his name from the November general election. A federal grand jury later indicted Pritt on three felony counts: sexual exploitation of a child, coercion and enticement of a child, and witness tampering. The indictment alleges Pritt attempted to intimidate the minor in June 2025 to prevent reporting the conduct.

The West Virginia Republican Executive Committee took historic action to distance itself from the former delegate. On July 29, 88 members signed a petition to disavow Pritt, and on August 1, the committee unanimously approved the disavowal motion and re-elected Chairman Josh Holstein. These actions were intended to remove Pritt’s party endorsement via the State Election Commission. Notably, Pritt, who changed his affiliation from Democrat to Republican in 2023, had previously co-sponsored legislation aimed at increasing penalties for sexual offenses against minors.

Entities

Elliott Pritt · West Virginia House of Delegates · West Virginia Republican Party · Josh Holstein · Fayette County Republican Executive Committee

Timeline

  1. 23 days ago

    [CRIME] 3 sources
    David Elliott Pritt indicted on federal child exploitation charges

    Former West Virginia delegate and teacher David Elliott Pritt has been federally indicted on charges of child sexual exploitation, coercion, and witness tampering involving a minor student.

  2. about 1 month ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    West Virginia GOP Re-elects Chairman Josh Holstein and Disavows Candidate Elliott Pritt

    The West Virginia Republican Party re‑elected Josh Holstein as chairman, installed new officers, and unanimously disavowed former delegate Elliott Pritt amid federal grooming charges.

  3. about 1 month ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    West Virginia GOP Moves to Disavow Former Delegate Elliott Pritt Over Underage Sex Allegations

    West Virginia Republicans will vote to disavow former delegate Elliott Pritt, arrested on underage sex charges, and seek his removal from the ballot, marking a first for the state party.

  4. about 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 5 sources
    West Virginia Delegate Elliott Pritt Resigns Amid Child Sex Arrest

    Republican West Virginia delegate Elliott Pritt resigned after a federal child‑entrapment arrest; 81 GOP delegates urged Governor Morrisey to convene a special session to expel him.

  5. about 2 months ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    West Virginia delegate Elliott Pritt faces federal child‑sex charges amid ballot eligibility debate

    West Virginia Delegate Elliott Pritt, arrested on federal child‑sex charges, remains on the 2026 ballot pending conviction as lawmakers seek his expulsion.

  6. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 8 sources
    WV Delegate David Elliott Pritt Charged with Enticement of Minor

    WV delegate and teacher David Elliott Pritt faces a federal charge of enticement of a minor after alleged grooming via Roblox and Snapchat; he has been suspended, removed from leadership, and is in custody.

Sources

100percentfedup.com · blackbygod.org · ca.sports.yahoo.com · dnyuz.com · ibtimes.co.uk · joemygod.com · kellybookblog.com · lootpress.com · rawstory.com · theintermountain.com · wchsnetwork.com · woay.com · wvmetronews.com · yellowhammernews.com

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history