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The owner and operator of a Maryland cheer academy has been arrested and indicted on multiple charges including second-degree rape after allegedly sexually abusing a 9-year-old girl on the grounds of his facility during the summer of 2025 and into the spring of 2026.
Dustin Moss Burket, 52, of Annapolis, is the Eastern Shore Cheer Academy Owner Accused of Sexually Abusing a Child in Maryland whose arrest has sent shockwaves through the Queen Anne's County community. Burket was taken into custody without incident and is currently being held at the Queen Anne's County Detention Center without bond.
The investigation into the alleged sexual abuse of a child began on April 3, 2026, when Maryland State Police opened a formal inquiry. As evidence developed, the case was presented to a Grand Jury, which returned an indictment against Burket.
Burket is facing four charges: second-degree rape, abuse of a minor, fourth-degree sexual offense, and second-degree assault.
According to investigators, the alleged activities between Burket and the alleged victim — a 9-year-old girl — took place during the summer of 2025 and again in the spring of 2026. All alleged incidents occurred on the property of the Eastern Shore Cheer Academy in Stevensville, Maryland, under Burket's direct supervision as the academy's owner and operator.
The Eastern Shore Cheer Academy is a youth cheerleading facility that placed Burket in a position of direct authority and trust over the young athletes in his care.
Following his arrest, Burket was ordered held without bond at the Queen Anne's County Detention Center, reflecting the severity of the charges he is facing.
Maryland State Police are actively seeking any additional victims or individuals with relevant information about the case. Anyone who believes they or someone they know may have been a victim is urged to contact Sergeant Dadds at brian.dadds@maryland.gov or by phone at 410-758-1101, ext. 4719.
The factual information above was sourced from cbsnews.com/baltimore as of May 26, 2026. The attorney commentary below is not specifically about the case reported above. Attorney commentary provided is information about these types of cases in the justice system.
When the owner of a youth sports facility is accused of sexually abusing a child in their care, families are often unaware of the full scope of legal options available to them beyond the criminal process. Legal Herald editor Paul Amess spoke with Maryland sexual abuse attorney Aaron Blank about the civil legal avenues that may be available to families in cases involving alleged abuse by a youth activity organization owner or operator.
Paul Amess: Aaron, when the owner and operator of a youth sports or cheerleading facility is accused of sexually abusing a child on academy property, what civil legal options may be available to families?
Aaron Blank: Cases involving alleged sexual abuse by the owner of a youth activity organization are among the most serious we encounter, and they can give rise to significant civil liability. Unlike cases where a rogue employee acts without an organization's knowledge, cases involving an owner or operator raise direct questions about the institution itself. When the person running the facility is the alleged abuser, families may have civil claims not only against that individual but potentially against any broader organizational structure, insurance carriers, or affiliated entities connected to the academy.
Paul Amess: In cases where the alleged abuse took place over an extended period — multiple seasons — what does that mean for the civil side of a claim?
Aaron Blank: A pattern of alleged abuse spanning multiple periods of time can be highly significant in civil litigation. It suggests the opportunity existed repeatedly, which raises important questions about whether any safeguards were in place and whether warning signs were present that went unaddressed. In Maryland, civil claims for the sexual abuse of a minor can be substantial, and the duration and frequency of alleged conduct is often a factor in how those claims are evaluated.
Paul Amess: What would you say to a family in Maryland whose child participated in a youth cheer program or similar activity where abuse is now alleged to have occurred?
Aaron Blank: Please do not wait. Speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Time limits apply to civil claims, and the earlier families act, the better their position. No family should have to determine on their own whether they have a case — that is exactly what an initial consultation with an attorney is for, and it is both confidential and free of charge.
If your child participated in a cheerleading program, youth sports academy, or any youth activity organization in Maryland where an owner, coach, or staff member has been accused of sexual abuse, you may have the right to pursue civil action and recover financial compensation. Contact The Legal Herald today to be connected with an experienced Maryland sexual abuse attorney for a free, no-obligation consultation.
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