CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – UPDATE 7/27/26 4:03 PM: Elliott Pritt has officially resigned from the West Virginia House of Delegates, effectively immediately.
He submitted his letter of resignation to Speaker Roger Hanshaw Monday afternoon.
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ORIGINAL STORY: West Virginia Delegate David Elliott Pritt appeared in federal court Monday afternoon, where he waived his preliminary hearing and was ordered to remain in custody pending further proceedings.
According to the court record from Monday’s hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dwane L. Tinsley, Pritt signed a written waiver of his preliminary hearing. Based on that waiver, the court found probable cause and ordered that the case proceed through the federal court process.
Following the preliminary hearing waiver, the court moved to a detention hearing. Assistant Federal Public Defender Christopher W. Maidona stated that the defense was waiving the detention hearing for the time being while reserving the right to reopen the issue at a later date.
Judge Tinsley then ordered Pritt detained and remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Pritt, a Fayette County delegate and teacher, is charged in federal court with enticement of a minor. The allegations remain unproven, and Pritt is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Monday’s hearing concluded shortly after the detention order was entered. The case will now proceed through the federal court system.
