CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Former West Virginia Delegate and Fayette County teacher David Elliott Pritt pleaded not guilty Monday to federal charges accusing him of child sexual exploitation, coercion and enticement and witness tampering.
Pritt, 36, of Oak Hill, appeared in federal court in Charleston on Monday, Aug. 24, for his arraignment.
According to an arraignment order filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Pritt appeared with court-appointed attorney Wesley P. Page and entered a voluntary plea of not guilty after the court determined he had received and understood the indictment and the charges against him.
Pritt remains detained pending trial. The court scheduled a pretrial motions hearing for Sept. 16 and a jury trial for 9 a.m. Oct. 5 in Charleston before U.S. District Judge Irene C. Berger.
Monday’s arraignment is the latest development in a federal case that has resulted in Pritt’s arrest, resignation from the West Virginia House of Delegates, withdrawal from the November election and termination from his teaching position with Fayette County Schools.
A federal grand jury indicted Pritt on Aug. 19 on three felony counts: sexual exploitation of a child, coercion and enticement of a child, and tampering with a witness, victim or informant.
Federal prosecutors allege Pritt attempted to persuade, induce, entice and coerce a minor girl to engage in sexually explicit conduct from approximately March 2024 through January 2026.
The indictment further alleges that between approximately June 2025 and January 2026, Pritt engaged in that conduct for the purpose of producing sexually explicit images using the internet and cellular networks. Prosecutors also allege that on or about June 20, Pritt attempted to intimidate and corruptly persuade the girl to prevent information about a possible federal crime from being reported to law enforcement.
The indictment followed Pritt’s July 22 arrest, when he was initially charged by criminal complaint with coercion and enticement of a minor.
According to the affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, the investigation began after the family of a 15-year-old girl reported alleged sexual abuse to law enforcement on July 9.
Investigators alleged Pritt first communicated with the girl while she was an eighth-grade student. The communication reportedly began through the online game Roblox before moving to Snapchat.
Federal investigators allege the communications became sexual during the summer of 2025, when Pritt began sending sexually explicit material and soliciting explicit images from the girl.
Investigators further alleged that the relationship later became physical after the girl entered high school. According to the affidavit, the girl reported meeting Pritt in his classroom at Oak Hill High School approximately five to 10 times between late 2025 and January 2026 for sexual encounters.
The affidavit also described messages allegedly sent by Pritt on June 20 in which investigators say he urged the girl to keep the relationship secret and expressed concern that police involvement would result in a public scandal. That allegation is now the basis of the federal witness-tampering count included in the indictment.
At the time of his arrest, Pritt was serving in the West Virginia House of Delegates representing District 50 in Fayette County and was employed as a teacher at Oak Hill High School.
Pritt appeared in federal court July 27 and waived his preliminary and detention hearings. A federal magistrate found probable cause and ordered him to remain in federal custody.
Later that day, Pritt resigned from the House of Delegates, submitting a one-sentence letter to House Speaker Roger Hanshaw stating that his resignation was effective immediately.
Pritt subsequently withdrew as a candidate for the District 50 House seat in the November general election.
On Aug. 11, the Fayette County Board of Education unanimously voted to suspend Pritt without pay retroactively and terminate his employment with Fayette County Schools effective immediately.
Eight days later, on Aug. 19, the federal grand jury returned the three-count indictment that led to Monday’s arraignment.
Pritt’s not guilty plea means the case is currently scheduled to proceed toward trial. The government has agreed to provide requested discovery materials to the defense within 14 days of Monday’s order, according to the court filing.
The charges contained in the indictment are allegations. Pritt is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
