A mixed bag of emotions has travelled across the Mountain State in the last week due to the arrest and federal charge against former WV Delegate David Elliott Pritt (R-Fayette, District 50) on July 22, 2026. He was charged with “enticement of a minor”, a violation of 18 U.S.C 2422(b) which carries a sentence of not less than 10 years to life imprisonment. Citizens of the state have expressed shock, outrage, disappointment and sympathy for the victim and family members.
Betrayal to Fayette County and irony regarding the bills he supported, can be added to the sentiments as well.
On Monday, July 27, Pritt appeared before Magistrate Judge Dwane Tinsley in Charleston and waived his right to preliminary and detention hearings. The judge found probable cause to move forward and Pritt remains in federal custody. On the same date, he penned a one-sentence resignation letter from the West Virginia House of Delegates.
The resignation was welcome by state lawmakers who were saved from the time and expense of an extraordinary session to consider a resolution to expel Pritt from membership in the WV House of Delegates.
While we understand that a person is innocent until proven guilty and due process of the law must continue, it is shocking to read the affidavit filed by Special Agent of U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security, Terrance L. Taylor, of the criminal complaint. Unless it is discovered in the legal proceedings that evidence has been falsified in some way, the outcome may be poor for Pritt. And even if that were the case, major damage has already occurred in Fayette County and the state of West Virginia at large.
Thousands have now been affected by what was erroneously considered private actions. Trust has been broken on multiple levels, from the personal to the professional. Conscientious people around the state have been praying for the victim of this alleged charge, as her life has been altered forever. In truth, the victims in cases such as this are many, with regard to the shockwaves sent throughout communities, churches and schools bearing the impact.
Think of the children who had Pritt as a teacher, the numerous volunteers who helped with his campaign, the parishioners at his church, the county residents who looked to him to represent their interests in Charleston.
And much closer to the heat, the victim of the allegation, family members on all sides of this event have been affected in ways that most folks cannot fully comprehend. Embarrassment, anger and seeds of bitterness provide a destructive recipe that impedes continuing on with ‘life as normal’.
Additionally, those who take the opportunity to embrace identity politics to gloat over the public destruction of one of “them” adds fuel to the devastating fires of sexual immorality. It removes the focus from crimes against children and places it upon social identity, promoting group-think and diminishing critical analysis.
