rights
GOP lawmaker arrested after allegedly having sex with middle schooler in a classroom
Summary by LGBTQ News Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Daniel Villarreal , LGBTQ Nation
· July 23, 2026
· 3 min read
West Virginia Del. David Elliott Pritt (R) was arrested Wednesday and criminally charged under allegations that he repeatedly had sex with an eighth-grade girl in a classroom while he served as a middle school teacher. Federal court documents allege that he had communicated with the girl through the
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Summary created by LGBTQ News Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Daniel Villarreal, LGBTQ Nation Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 23, 2026 Indexed here Jul 23, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway He allegedly told her he loved her, sent sexually explicit images to her, and requested (anywhere from five to 10 times) that she meet him for sexual activity in an Oak Hill High School classroom.
Why this matters
The arrest of West Virginia Del. David Elliott Pritt on charges of having sex with a middle schooler in a classroom raises questions about the hypocrisy of some lawmakers who claim to be protecting children while allegedly engaging in harmful behavior themselves. Pritt's case is particularly notable given the West Virginia Republican Party's efforts to restrict gender-affirming care for transgender minors and ban trans student-athletes from playing on sports teams, under the guise of protecting children. The fact that Pritt was able to allegedly exploit and abuse a child while serving as a middle school teacher and lawmaker underscores the need for greater accountability and scrutiny of those in power. The National LGBTQ Task Force and other advocacy groups have long argued that such laws are rooted in discrimination and harm, rather than a genuine concern for children's well-being. Pritt's removal from his roles in the state's House of Delegates is a step towards accountability, but the broader implications of his case remain to be seen.
About this story
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Category: rights ·
Published: July 23, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 3 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? West Virginia Del. David Elliott Pritt (R) was arrested Wednesday and criminally charged under allegations that he repeatedly had sex with an eighth-grade girl in a classroom while he served as a middle school teacher. Federal court documents allege that he had communicated with the girl through the
When was this published? This article was first published on July 23, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Daniel Villarreal at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .