A Stevensville cheer academy owner was arrested this week after investigators say he sexually abused a 9-year-old girl at the facility. The accused, 52-year-old Dustin Moss Burket, is in custody and faces multiple felony counts, and the arrest has rattled parents and coaches across Kent Island.
Charges and investigation
Authorities say Burket, who lists an Annapolis address, was indicted on charges that include second-degree rape, abuse of a minor, fourth-degree sexual offense, and second-degree assault. According to Maryland State Police, the probe began on April 3, 2026, and investigators allege some incidents occurred in summer 2025 and again this spring on property belonging to the Eastern Shore Cheer Academy while the child was under his supervision. He was taken into custody without incident and is being held at the Queen Anne’s County Detention Center without bond. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sergeant Brian Dadds at [email protected] or 410-758-1101 ext. 4719, as reported by CBS Baltimore.
Local ties to the academy
Burket is identified as the owner and operator of the Eastern Shore Cheer Academy in Stevensville, and local studio listings show he taught tumbling classes and ran programs for children, per New Motions Dance Center. The academy had advertised open-gym sessions and preseason team events before the allegations came to light.
Reporting and legal context
Anyone who suspects child abuse should contact Maryland Child Protective Services or local law enforcement. The state outlines reporting requirements and victim resources on its website, and mandated reporters such as teachers and health-care providers are required to notify authorities, per Maryland Department of Human Services. These are allegations, and the suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty as the case moves through the courts.
