A teacher from West Virginia, who is also a Republican state legislator, faces serious allegations of using the well-known online gaming platform Roblox to groom a teenage student. According to a federal affidavit obtained by News Media, the accusations include engaging in sexual activities with her on school premises.
The 36-year-old, David Elliott Pritt, a Republican delegate in the West Virginia House of Delegates representing Fayette County, was arrested this week. He now confronts federal charges for the enticement of a minor.
Prosecutors assert that Pritt used interstate communication channels to persuade, coax, or lure the young girl into unlawful sexual conduct and to create child sexual abuse material.
Court documents reveal that David Elliott Pritt, a state legislator and ex-educator from West Virginia, faces federal charges. Allegedly, he utilized Roblox and social media to entice a 15-year-old student into a sexual relationship, beginning during her time as his student. (Carter County Detention Center)
The investigation took off after the girl’s family reported these disturbing allegations to law enforcement on July 9, as detailed in an affidavit reviewed by News Media.
The girl told investigators Pritt first contacted her while she was an eighth grade student during the 2024-25 school year, when he taught middle school in Fayette County. Their conversations allegedly began on Roblox before moving to the social media app Snapchat.
According to the affidavit, the conversations became increasingly personal, and Pritt eventually told the girl he loved her. During the summer of 2025, Pritt allegedly sent the girl a sexually explicit photograph of himself over Snapchat and requested nude photographs from her. The girl told investigators she complied.
The alleged victim told investigators Pritt first contacted her while she was an eighth grade student during the 2024-25 school year. (Jeffrey Basinger/Newsday RM via Getty Images)
After both moved to the local high school, the girl alleged Pritt repeatedly asked her to meet him in his classroom, where she said she performed sexual acts on him approximately five to 10 times. The final encounter allegedly occurred around December 2025 or January 2026.
According to the affidavit, Pritt continued requesting sexually explicit photographs through July 2026 and urged the girl not to tell anyone about their relationship. Investigators said he warned her police would seize their phones and “open up hell in our lives.” He also allegedly said the allegations “would be in the news” before adding, “I would lose my entire life.”
Federal investigators allege there is probable cause to believe Pritt knowingly used interstate communications between May 2025 and July 2026 to entice the minor to produce child sexual abuse material and engage in sexual activity in violation of West Virginia law.
Pritt has represented Fayette County’s District 50 in the West Virginia House of Delegates since 2022. He was elected as a Democrat before switching to the Republican Party in 2023.
Pritt was elected to the West Virginia legislature as a Democrat before switching to the Republican Party in 2023. (Joseph Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group)
State House Speaker Roger Hanshaw called the allegations “shocking, disgusting and disappointing in every way” and removed Pritt from his House roles.
Hanshaw also urged Pritt to resign.
A spokesperson for Hanshaw told News Media House leadership has taken the only administrative action currently available by removing Pritt from his House roles and is reviewing the constitutional process for expulsion, which would require the support of two-thirds of elected House members.
“My heart aches for his family, and if any part of these serious allegations are true, the law should be applied in full force,” Hanshaw said in a statement.
Fayette County Schools did not immediately respond to News Media’s request for comment.