{"id":15167,"date":"2026-07-24T00:23:36","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T19:23:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=15167"},"modified":"2026-07-24T00:23:36","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T19:23:36","slug":"west-virginia-state-lawmaker-arrested-on-sex-abuse-charges-with-minor-feds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=15167","title":{"rendered":"West Virginia state lawmaker arrested on sex abuse charges with minor: Feds"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" data-testid=\"prism-article-body\">\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao MvWXB TjIXL aGjvy ebVHC \">A West Virginia state delegate was arrested and charged with sex assault Wednesday after federal investigators said he allegedly used social media platforms to entice and sexually engage with a teenage student at the school he taught, according to a federal complaint.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Republican Del. David Elliott Pritt, 36, who was the assistant majority leader, was charged with coercion and enticement of a minor and sexual assault in the third degree following a two-week-long investigation by Homeland Security, according to the criminal complaint. U.S. Marshals took him into custody, the complaint said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">The 15-year-old victim&#8217;s family contacted law enforcement on July 9 and investigators soon discovered the alleged interactions between the girl and Pritt, who had a second job as a teacher, the criminal complaint said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"oLzSq QrHMO fnRUo pvsTF EhJPu vPlOC zNYgW OsTsW RMeqy daRVX ISNQ sKyCY eRftA acPPc MENS nFwaT MCnQE mEeeY SmBjI xegrY rPLsU iulOd NIuqO zzscu lzDCc aHUBM IEgzD OjMNy eQqcx SVqKB GQmdz jaoD VWDdR ONJdw vrZxD OnRTz gbbfF roDbV GPGwb oMlSS gfNzt oJhud eXZcf zhVlX \">\n<div>\n<div class=\"InlineImage GpQCA lZur asrEW \" data-testid=\"prism-inline-image\">\n<figure class=\"kzIjN GNmeK pYrtp dSqFO \" data-testid=\"prism-figure\">\n<div class=\"GpQCA lZur Lomrk \" data-testid=\"prism-ratio-frame\">\n<div class=\"FvQLF iLTd NqeUA UzzHi iWsMV \"><picture data-testid=\"prism-picture\"><source media=\"(max-width: 414px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/d341692e-f36d-4ec5-bc37-b84eeef2e28c\/david-pritt-2-ht-jef-260723_1784818501839_hpEmbed_2x3.jpg?w=375, https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/d341692e-f36d-4ec5-bc37-b84eeef2e28c\/david-pritt-2-ht-jef-260723_1784818501839_hpEmbed_2x3.jpg?w=750 2x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 415px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/d341692e-f36d-4ec5-bc37-b84eeef2e28c\/david-pritt-2-ht-jef-260723_1784818501839_hpEmbed_2x3.jpg?w=750, https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/d341692e-f36d-4ec5-bc37-b84eeef2e28c\/david-pritt-2-ht-jef-260723_1784818501839_hpEmbed_2x3.jpg?w=1500 2x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"hsDdd NDJZt sJeUN IJwXl vBqtr KrDt itslR SjwtZ hakZw HlUVI \" data-testid=\"prism-image\" draggable=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/d341692e-f36d-4ec5-bc37-b84eeef2e28c\/david-pritt-2-ht-jef-260723_1784818501839_hpEmbed_2x3.jpg\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<div class=\"nMMea bNYiy Mjgpa dGwha DDmxa jgKNG RGHCC aBIU PriDW aiQHS lZur \" data-testid=\"prism-caption\">\n<p><span class=\"hsDdd OOSI GpQCA lZur VlFaz \" data-testid=\"prism-truncate\"><span><span class=\"gtOSm FbbUW tUtYa vOCwz EQwFq yCufu eEak Qmvg nyTIa SRXVc vzLa jgBfc WXDas CiUCW kqbG zrdEG txGfn ygKVe BbezD UOtxr CVfpq xijV soGRS XgdC sEIlf daWqJ \">David Pritt is seen in this undated photo.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"gtOSm FbbUW tUtYa vOCwz EQwFq yCufu eEak Qmvg nyTIa SRXVc vzLa jgBfc WXDas CiUCW kqbG zrdEG txGfn ygKVe BbezD UOtxr CVfpq xijV soGRS XgdC sEIlf daWqJ YNujN JGtjI aZFDu rkKLh \">West Virginia Legistlature<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Pritt, a married father of four according to <a class=\"zZygg UbGlr iFzkS qdXbA WCDhQ DbOXS tqUtK GpWVU iJYzE \" data-testid=\"prism-linkbase\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wvlegislature.gov\/house\/lawmaker.cfm?member=Delegate%20Pritt\" target=\"_blank\" dir=\"ltr\">his bio<\/a> on the West Virginia Legislature site, allegedly began communicating with the victim between late 2024 and early 2025. He messaged first through the online game Roblox and then through Snapchat when the alleged victim was an eighth-grade student at the middle school where Pritt taught, the criminal complaint said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">The delegate&#8217;s Snapchat conversations allegedly became more &#8220;personal&#8221; with the teen as the school year went on, according to investigators.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">&#8220;By the end of her eighth-grade year, Pritt had told [the victim] that he loved her,&#8221; the criminal complaint alleged.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">During the summer of 2025, Pritt had allegedly begun sending sexually explicit videos and photos of himself to the victim and asked the minor to do the same, according to investigators.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Pritt began teaching at a West Virginia high school starting in the fall of 2025 and he allegedly asked the victim to come to the school and perform sexual acts, the criminal complaint alleged.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">The victim allegedly engaged in the sexual activity in his classroom on &#8220;approximately five to 10 occasions,&#8221; until January, the complaint alleged.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Pritt continued to allegedly communicate with the alleged victim on Snapchat until July, the complaint said. At one point in June, Pritt allegedly asked the minor not to tell anyone about their encounters, according to investigators.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">He allegedly told the victim, &#8220;the state police show up and take your phone and mine and open up hell in our lives,&#8221; the criminal complaint said, adding that Pritt allegedly told the victim, &#8220;I would lose my entire life.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"oLzSq QrHMO fnRUo pvsTF EhJPu vPlOC zNYgW OsTsW RMeqy daRVX ISNQ sKyCY eRftA acPPc MENS nFwaT MCnQE mEeeY SmBjI xegrY rPLsU iulOd NIuqO zzscu lzDCc aHUBM IEgzD OjMNy eQqcx SVqKB GQmdz jaoD VWDdR ONJdw vrZxD OnRTz gbbfF roDbV GPGwb oMlSS gfNzt oJhud eXZcf zhVlX \">\n<div>\n<div class=\"InlineImage GpQCA lZur asrEW \" data-testid=\"prism-inline-image\">\n<figure class=\"kzIjN GNmeK pYrtp dSqFO \" data-testid=\"prism-figure\">\n<div class=\"GpQCA lZur Rnci \" data-testid=\"prism-ratio-frame\">\n<div class=\"FvQLF iLTd NqeUA UzzHi iWsMV \"><picture data-testid=\"prism-picture\"><source media=\"(max-width: 414px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/c31c2cdb-bf59-4b1f-a0de-3acb15acdd21\/david-pritt-1-ht-jef-260723_1784818571891_hpMain_16x9.jpg?w=375, https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/c31c2cdb-bf59-4b1f-a0de-3acb15acdd21\/david-pritt-1-ht-jef-260723_1784818571891_hpMain_16x9.jpg?w=750 2x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 415px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/c31c2cdb-bf59-4b1f-a0de-3acb15acdd21\/david-pritt-1-ht-jef-260723_1784818571891_hpMain_16x9.jpg?w=750, https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/c31c2cdb-bf59-4b1f-a0de-3acb15acdd21\/david-pritt-1-ht-jef-260723_1784818571891_hpMain_16x9.jpg?w=1500 2x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"hsDdd NDJZt sJeUN IJwXl vBqtr KrDt itslR SjwtZ hakZw HlUVI \" data-testid=\"prism-image\" draggable=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/c31c2cdb-bf59-4b1f-a0de-3acb15acdd21\/david-pritt-1-ht-jef-260723_1784818571891_hpMain_16x9.jpg\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<div class=\"nMMea bNYiy Mjgpa dGwha DDmxa jgKNG RGHCC aBIU PriDW aiQHS lZur \" data-testid=\"prism-caption\">\n<p><span class=\"hsDdd OOSI GpQCA lZur VlFaz \" data-testid=\"prism-truncate\"><span><span class=\"gtOSm FbbUW tUtYa vOCwz EQwFq yCufu eEak Qmvg nyTIa SRXVc vzLa jgBfc WXDas CiUCW kqbG zrdEG txGfn ygKVe BbezD UOtxr CVfpq xijV soGRS XgdC sEIlf daWqJ \">David Pritt is seen in this undated police handout.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"gtOSm FbbUW tUtYa vOCwz EQwFq yCufu eEak Qmvg nyTIa SRXVc vzLa jgBfc WXDas CiUCW kqbG zrdEG txGfn ygKVe BbezD UOtxr CVfpq xijV soGRS XgdC sEIlf daWqJ YNujN JGtjI aZFDu rkKLh \">Carter County Detention Center<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Pritt, who was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 2022 and is up for re-election this fall, is being held in jail, according to court documents. Attorney information was not immediately available.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Representatives for Roblox and Snapchat did not immediately return messages to ABC News for comment on the investigation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">West Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Roger Hanshaw <a class=\"zZygg UbGlr iFzkS qdXbA WCDhQ DbOXS tqUtK GpWVU iJYzE \" data-testid=\"prism-linkbase\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wvlegislature.gov\/News_release\/pressrelease.cfm?release=4228\" target=\"_blank\" dir=\"ltr\">released a statement<\/a> Wednesday after Pritt&#8217;s arrest and called on the delegate to resign from office.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">&#8220;What Elliott Pritt is accused of doing is shocking, disgusting and disappointing in every way. My heart aches for this family, and if any part of these serious allegations are true, the law should be applied in full force,&#8221; Hanshaw said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">The speaker added that Pritt was removed &#8220;from all official roles connected with his service&#8221; as a member of the legislature.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">&#8220;Delegate Pritt deserves the right to defend himself freely and fully in a court of law, but the public and his colleagues deserve more,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Fayette County Schools, which oversees the schools Pritt taught in, told ABC affiliate <a class=\"zZygg UbGlr iFzkS qdXbA WCDhQ DbOXS tqUtK GpWVU iJYzE \" data-testid=\"prism-linkbase\" href=\"https:\/\/wchstv.com\/news\/local\/west-virginia-delegate-charged-in-probe-of-sexual-conduct-with-a-minor\" target=\"_blank\" dir=\"ltr\">WCHS<\/a> Wednesday that it is cooperating with the investigation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC eTIW sUzSN \">&#8220;The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority,&#8221; it told the station.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A West Virginia state delegate was arrested and charged with sex assault Wednesday after federal investigators said he allegedly used social media platforms to entice and sexually engage with a teenage student at the school he taught, according to a federal complaint. Republican Del. David Elliott Pritt, 36, who was the assistant majority leader, was&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15168,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/c31c2cdb-bf59-4b1f-a0de-3acb15acdd21\/david-pritt-1-ht-jef-260723_1784818571891_hpMain_16x9.jpg?w=1600","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15167","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-abc-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15167","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=15167"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15167\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/15168"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=15167"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=15167"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=15167"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}