Pritt

ELKINS — A Randolph County man was sentenced to prison time in Randolph County Circuit Court for allegedly soliciting a minor in an attempt to obtain sexual material.

Zachary Ryan Pritt, 31, was sentenced by Randolph County Circuit Court Judge David Wilmoth to not less than one and no more than three years incarceration for attempted possession of material depicting a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct; and to not less than one and no more than three years incarceration for attempted employment or use of a minor to produce obscene matter or assist in doing sexually explicit conduct. Both sentences will run consecutively.

Pritt was initially indicted in June 2024 on one count of soliciting a minor via computer, one count of attempted possession of material depicting a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and one count of attempted employment or use of minor to produce obscene matter or assist in doing sexually explicit conduct. All three were felony counts.

Pritt was represented by Brent Easton, who spoke to the court before sentencing on the behalf of Pritt. Easton asked the court to suspend any sentence of incarceration for a period of probation, arguing that Pritt had already accumulated credit for approximately 520 to 530 days served in Tygart Valley Regional Jail.

Easton explained to the court that Pritt had a “relatively minor” criminal history with no felonies, and that Pritt accepted responsibility and showed remorse for his actions. He also cited a sexual offense evaluation conducted on Pritt which stated that he “is at low risk for recidivism and would be an average candidate for probation or home confinement.”

Randolph County Prosecuting Attorney Michael Parker did not agree with Easton’s argument, requesting that the court sentence Pritt to the statutory sentence.

“In reviewing (the sex offender) questionnaire, I think it’s evident that (Pritt) still, to this day, lacks appreciation of how significant what he’s done is, from looking at his answers to some of the questions,” Parker told the court.

During sentencing, Wilmoth told Pritt that he will be required to complete the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitations’ sex offender program before he is released. Once Pritt is released and under Intensive Supervision Office supervision, which will last until Pritt is 80 years old, Wilmoth said Pritt will be required to participate in sex offender treatment.