CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A former Fayette County teacher and West Virginia state legislator has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges involving the alleged sexual exploitation and enticement of a minor and witness tampering.
United States Attorney Moore Capito announced Wednesday that David Elliott Pritt, 36, of Oak Hill, was indicted on three felony counts of sexual exploitation of a child, coercion and enticement of a child, and tampering with a witness, victim or informant.
According to the indictment, Pritt allegedly attempted to and did persuade, induce, entice and coerce a minor female to engage in sexually explicit conduct between approximately March 2024 and January 2026.
Federal prosecutors allege that from approximately June 2025 through January 2026, Pritt engaged in that conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions using the internet and cellular networks.
The indictment also alleges that on June 20, 2026, Pritt attempted to intimidate and corruptly persuade the minor with the intent to hinder, delay or prevent information about the commission or possible commission of a federal crime from being communicated to law enforcement.
Pritt was arrested July 22 following an investigation. At the time of the alleged offenses, he was employed as a teacher with Fayette County Schools and represented a Fayette County district in the West Virginia House of Delegates.
Following his arrest, Pritt resigned from the West Virginia Legislature. The Fayette County Board of Education later suspended and terminated his employment.
“With West Virginia’s children returning to school this month, now is another opportunity for parents and caregivers to have those important conversations with their kids,” Capito said. “Our children need to know that they can safely report and talk about any situation that potentially involves grooming, inappropriate behavior, or abuse.”
Capito encouraged anyone with information relevant to the case to contact the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office at 304-574-4268.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations and the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office.
The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Irene C. Berger and U.S. Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Rada Herrald is prosecuting the case.
Federal officials said the case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse.
An indictment is an allegation, and Pritt is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
