Republican Indicted on Child Sex Charges After Push for Stricter Penalties

Meanwhile, a federal grand jury has indicted former West Virginia delegate and teacher David Elliott Pritt on child exploitation charges, months after he co- a bill seeking tougher penalties for sexual offenses against minors by adults in positions of trust.

Key points

• As Newsweek previously documented, the allegations involve a 15-year-old student at Oak Hill High School in Fayette County, where Pritt taught.
• West Virginia House Speaker Roger Hanshaw called the accusations against Pritt "shocking, disgusting and disappointing."
• Prosecutors say Pritt served in the West Virginia House of Delegates and as a teacher during the time of the alleged offenses.
• Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia confirmed Wednesday.
• The bill additionally sought to double the prison sentence for that offense, from 20 years to 40 years.

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For context, the 36-year-old-who changed political affiliation from Democrat to Republican in 2023-faces three felony counts of sexual exploitation of a child, coercion and enticement of a child, and witness tampering, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia confirmed Wednesday.

Federal prosecutors allege that Pritt coerced a minor girl to engage in sexually explicit conduct between March 2024 and January 2026, including for the "purpose of producing visual depictions" of that conduct. He is additionally accused of trying to intimidate the minor to prevent her from telling law enforcement.

As Newsweek previously documented, the allegations involve a 15-year-old student at Oak Hill High School in Fayette County, where Pritt taught. He was arrested July 22 after an investigation.

Newsweek has reached out to Pritt's public defender via email for comment.

Pritt co- legislation earlier this year that sought to significantly growth prison sentences and fines for sexual offenses against minors, including those committed by residents in positions of trust.

West Virginia House Bill 4695 included a provision adding attempts to engage in the sexual exploitation of a child to an offense covering parents, guardians, custodians and individuals in positions of trust. The bill additionally sought to double the prison sentence for that offense, from 20 years to 40 years.

Notably, the legislation additionally proposed double penalties for residents in positions of trust who knowingly possess, send, distribute or display "any material visually portraying a child under his or her care, custody or control engaged in any sexually explicit conduct."

Notably, the bill passed the House but did not advance out of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

He was removed from all roles connected to his service as a member of the West Virginia Legislature after his July arrest. On August 4, he voluntarily withdrew his candidacy for reelection to the state House.

"No child should ever be exploited by anyone, especially by the adults placed in positions of trust and charged with preparing young people, " Hanshaw remarked.

U.S. Attorney Moore Capito pressed parents and caregivers to talk with children concerning reporting potentially inappropriate behavior as students return to school.

"Our children need to know that they can safely report and talk about any situation that potentially involves grooming, inappropriate behavior, or abuse, " Capito remarked.

Pritt waived his right to a preliminary hearing on July 27. Capito addressed the case after the hearing, shown below.

Pritt, who is married with four children, remains in custody at the Carter County Detention Center. Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Edward T. Cummins.

In short, republican Indicted on Child Sex Charges After Push for Stricter Penalties is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.