UPDATE: New Details Emerge in Sexual Assault Case Involving East Salisbury Elementary Teacher

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – Authorities have arrested an East Salisbury Elementary teacher following a sexual assault investigation stemming from an incident in Somerset County.

According to the Maryland State Police, troopers arrested 61-year-old Maurice Cotton, Sr. of Westover on Tuesday afternoon, on charges of sexual abuse of a minor, second degree assault, and fourth degree sexual assault. He is being held without bond at the Somerset County Detention Center. Court documents obtained by WMDT indicate that Cotton has not been formally charged with second degree assault.

After receiving a report of a sexual assault on Oct. 3, the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division – Eastern Region initiated an investigation. Following consultation with the Office of the State’s Attorney in Somerset County, charges against Cotton were subsequently filed. WMDT has learned new information about the investigation after obtaining the charging documents.

Documents Shed Light on the Case

According to court documents obtained by WMDT, on Oct. 3, investigators received a report of a 16-year-old victim being subjected to an unwanted sexual assault at Hilltop Barber Shop, located in Princess Anne. Cotton, an employee at Hilltop, had been cutting the victim’s hair for 11 years, and had a longstanding relationship with the victim and his family. On the day of the alleged assault, the victim had been taken to the barbershop for a haircut by his mother. Because of the established relationship, the victim’s mother routinely allowed her son to enter the barbershop alone while she waited in her vehicle.

In an interview with police, the 16-year-old told officers that Cotton exposed himself to the victim during the haircut, before forcing him to perform a sexual act. Cotton then groped the minor victim both above and below his sweatpants as he was sitting in the barber’s chair. After the encounter, Cotton instructed the teenager to the effect of, “You know not to tell nobody.” At no point did the minor victim consent to sexual contact.

The minor told police he felt shocked, confused, and frozen during the incident, and did not feel as though he could leave. Further, Cotton was in possession of barber’s tools for the duration of the encounter. After the haircut, the victim paid Cotton and left the barber shop.

Later that same evening, the minor victim sent his mother a text message asking if he could see another barber, stating that he no longer felt comfortable having his hair cut by Cotton. When his mother saw the text the following morning, she questioned her son about why he no longer wanted to see Cotton. Despite initially not wanting to discuss the incident, the court documents state that the victim began crying before recounting the assault.

The minor victim’s mother went to Cotton’s residence to confront him. She told police that she directly asked Cotton if he had touched her son, to which she recalled him saying, “Yes.” However, Cotton told the mother that her son had touched him before becoming confrontational and angry.

In an interview with police, Cotton denied sexually touching the minor victim, but admitted that physical contact involving his genitalia had occurred. Cotton also told officers that the victim touched him first, with the contact lasting approximately five seconds. He acknowledged telling the minor that he would not tell his mother about the incident, but said he would tell her if it happened again. Cotton told police he did not stop the haircut after the encounter, nor did he notify the victim’s mother.

Cotton’s Employment History

In addition to working as a barber, Cotton was employed as a teacher at East Salisbury Elementary School in Wicomico County. In a statement to East Salisbury families, Wicomico County Public Schools (WCPS) said that, upon learning of the charges against Cotton, they took immediate steps to ensure he no longer has contact with students. 

“Maurice Cotton, employed as a teacher at East Salisbury Elementary School, has been charged with several offenses by the Maryland State Police Princess Anne Barrack. These charges are unrelated to his position at the school,” the statement read, in part. “None of the alleged offenses occurred at East Salisbury Elementary or on any Wicomico County Public Schools property.”

WCPS added that the safety and well-being of students remains their highest priority.

This case remains under investigation. Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Cotton, or who has information relevant to this investigation is urged to contact Sgt. Jonathan Pruitt at jonathan.pruitt@maryland.gov or 443-260-3700. Calls will remain confidential.

This article was originally published on Oct. 21 at 10:26 a.m., and has since been updated with details from documents obtained by WMDT and statements from Wicomico County Public Schools.