Maryland Teacher and Barber Charged With Sexual Assault of 16-Year-Old
Written by Kiss Media on 21 October 2026
Maryland State Police have arrested a Somerset County teacher and barber following an investigation into the reported sexual assault of a 16-year-old at a Princess Anne barbershop.
Maurice Cotton Sr., 61, of Westover, Maryland, was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon around 1 p.m. Cotton works as a teacher at East Salisbury Elementary School and also cuts hair at a barbershop in Princess Anne, according to investigators.
The case dates back to October 3, when authorities received a report that a 16-year-old had been subjected to an unwanted sexual assault at the barbershop. Detectives with Maryland State Police’s Criminal Enforcement Division, Eastern Region, handled the investigation and say Cotton and the teen were acquaintances. After consulting with the Somerset County State’s Attorney’s Office, troopers charged Cotton with sexual abuse of a minor, second-degree assault, and fourth-degree sexual offense.
Cotton is being held without bond at the Somerset County Detention Center.
Anyone who believes they may have been victimized by Cotton, or who has information about the case, is asked to contact Sergeant Jonathan Pruitt at 443-260-3700 or jonathan.pruitt@maryland.gov.
All parties are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Source: First State Update — https://firststateupdate.com/2026/10/teacher-charged-sexual-assault-of-16-year-old/
