Republican Indicted on Child Sex Charges After Push for Stricter Penalties
Summary
David Elliott Pritt, a former West Virginia delegate and teacher, was indicted on federal child exploitation charges. This happened months after he co-sponsored a bill to increase penalties for adults committing sexual offenses against minors in trusted positions.Key Facts
- Pritt is charged with three felonies: sexual exploitation of a child, coercion and enticement of a child, and witness tampering.
- The alleged offenses occurred between March 2024 and January 2026 and involved a 15-year-old student at Oak Hill High School.
- Pritt changed his political party from Democrat to Republican in 2023.
- He co-sponsored West Virginia House Bill 4695, which sought to double prison sentences and fines for sexual offenses against minors by trusted adults.
- The bill passed the West Virginia House but did not pass the Senate Judiciary Committee.
- Pritt was removed from his legislative roles after his arrest on July 22, 2024.
- He voluntarily withdrew from his reelection campaign on August 4, 2024.
- Pritt remains in custody and waived his preliminary hearing on July 27, 2024.
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