Member of the House of Delegates from Fayette County (West Virginia), 36-year-old Republican David Pritt, accused of seducing a minor, it follows from court documents. A lawmaker is being investigated for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a student at the school where he taught.
The family of a fifteen-year-old girl told police that Pritt sexually assaulted her, WOAY TV reported. The lawmaker began communicating with her on the online game Roblox when she was in eighth grade, around 2024-2025. Then the communication moved to the social network Snapchat.
He later “confessed his love to the alleged victim,” and by the summer of 2025, Pritt was sending obscene messages to the minor. He asked her to send him photographs, which, at the request of the Republican, “became increasingly explicit.”
Ultimately, the legislator began an intimate relationship with the girl at the end of 2025. Pritt allegedly asked her to meet him in his office at Oak Hill High School, where they allegedly had sex.
“The victim told investigators that this happened five to 10 times. The last sexual encounter allegedly occurred in December 2025 or January 2026, but Pritt continued to request explicit photos until July 2026,” WOAY notes.
This summer, Pritt allegedly threatened the victim that if she talked about their interaction, “the state police would come and take their phones” and “make their lives hell.” Separately, the Republican noted in a dialogue with his victim the possible resonance due to his position as a legislator, if someone finds out about the situation.
County Schools Superintendent David Worwell said schools are aware of the allegations against Pritt, who is also a teacher at Fayette High School.
“Fayette County Schools will cooperate fully with law enforcement as the investigation progresses. The safety and well-being of our students and staff remains our top priority,” Worwell said.
State House of Delegates Speaker Roger Hanshaw issued a statement calling on Pritt to resign. According to him, the legislator was removed from all official positions – he was an assistant to the leader of the Republican majority in the state.
“No child should be exploited by anyone, especially by adults in positions of responsibility and responsibility for training young people, many of whom, statistics show, sadly do not have other caring adults in their lives,” Hanshaw said.
Pritt represents Fayette County in the 50th District of the West Virginia Legislature beginning in 2022. Initially he was elected as a Democrat, but in 2023 he changed his party affiliation, reports WCHS TV channel. Pritt is currently being held at the Carter County Detention Facility and is scheduled to appear in federal court on July 27.
Del. David Elliott Pritt is accused of communicating with the minor on Roblox and Snapchat before engaging in physical relationship with her, the federal complaint says.https://t.co/Pf8Qet60Nw
— WCHS-TV (@wchstv) July 22, 2026
