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Firefighter Charged With Felony Sexual Abuse Of Underage Girl, Grand Theft, Abandoning Dogs
September 8, 2010
A Century volunteer fireman — the son of the department chief — was arrested Tuesday night, charged with sexually abusing an underage girl and with abandoning dogs rescued by the department.
Dustin Ryan Burkett, 28, of Century, was booked into the Escambia County Jail just before 11 p.m. Tuesday on one felony count of lewd and lascivious battery on a victim 12 to 15 years of age, one felony count of grand theft, and misdemeanor charges of abandonment of animals and obstruction of justice, according to Melissa Aiken Rawson, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Burkett was released from jail Wednesday afternoon on $15,000 bond, according to jail records.
An arrest warrant was signed Tuesday on the sexual abuse charge stemming from a 2009 incident in which a 15 year old girl told deputies she had intercourse with Burkett at Lake Stone Campground in Century. The encounter, according to the victim, took place on or about March 28, 2009. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received information on April 13, 2009, that the relationship had taken place, and the victim was interviewed at her school on April 28, 2009.
Burkett retained an attorney and refused to meet with the Sheriff’s Office investigators, according to the warrant affidavit.
In an unrelated incident, a second arrest warrant was signed against Burkett on Tuesday for allegedly abandoning three dogs that were reported to be “rescued” by the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue last month.
The Century Station of Escambia-Rescue responded to a reported motor vehicle accident on Sunday, August 22 on North Century Boulevard just south of Tedder Road. They discovered that there was no accident; rather, a motorist had stopped after seeing the three dogs nearly in the road. Both the fire department and the Sheriff’s Office requested that Escambia County Animal Control respond, but the agency refused stating that it did not meet their call-out criteria.
Rather than leave the dogs beside the road, they were taken back to the Century firehouse as firefighters worked to determine what to do with the canines. According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office incident report, the Burkett told his follow firefighters to, “Put them in my truck. I have a pen at my house”.
A Century Volunteer Fire Department officer emailed NorthEscambia.com that night, providing photographs of the dogs and asking for help in find the dogs’ owner. NorthEscambia.com published that story Monday, August 23.
After the article was published on NorthEscambia.com, the dogs’ owner contacted the fire department. According to the ECSO, the owner confronted Burkett at the Century fire station the next evening and asked the whereabouts of his dogs. Burkett according to the incident report, “refused to respond and acted like he didn’t know what (the victim) was talking about”.
On Wednesday, the dogs’ owner went to the Burkett’s residence on Highway 4A and spoke with the suspect’s father. The father was helpful but said that he did not see the dogs or know where his son had put them, the victim told deputies.
Burkett told a fire department officer that he had found a good home for the dogs in Walnut Hill, and the officer contact NorthEscambia.com with the information. Based on that information from the fire department, a followup story was published by NorthEscambia.com on Thursday, August 26, reporting that a home had been found for the dogs.
On Thursday, deputies met with both Burkett and his father. Burkett told deputies, according to their report, that he had given the dogs to a man he met. He told a deputy that he did not know how to contact the man and that the deputy should call his friend. The friend told the deputy by phone that “he did not want to be involved and that he was not going to tell a lie to keep (the suspect) out of trouble”. He said that Burkett contacted him Sunday night and “asked him to cover for him if asked the whereabouts of the missing dogs”. The friend told the deputy that Burkett told him that he took the dogs and dropped them off at the intersection of North Pine Barren Road and Highway 168.
When contacted by phone, the deputy said Burkett admitted to putting the dogs out of his vehicle on Pine Barren Road on Wednesday. About 30 minutes later, Burkett called the suspect again to advise him that he was going to face charges over the dogs. “He advised me that he didn’t kill them or sell them and that he put them out on Sunday,” Deputy David Bashore wrote in his report.
The dogs were found a few days later on Highway 4, not far from Northview High School. They were determined to be in good condition by a veterinarian and returned the owner.
Burkett is the son of the Century District Fire Chief Reggie Burkett, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Disciplinary action was taken against Burkett by the department, according to Century Assistant District Chief David Adams. He declined to elaborate.
Pictured top: Century firefighter Dustin Ryan Burkett was arrested Tuesday night. Pictured inset: These cellphone photos show three dogs found the evening of August 22 on North Century Boulevard just south of Tedder Road. The firefighter partially in the photograph is not suspected of any wrongdoing. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
86 Responses to “Firefighter Charged With Felony Sexual Abuse Of Underage Girl, Grand Theft, Abandoning Dogs”
i dont think people need to be so quick to judge others. its not our place. God and only God is the judge of us all. he knows what really did happen with both situations. If it is true about this girl and the dogs then justice will serve. but if its not true, u all need to back off of him and let him live his life. ryan is a good guy. he is goin through enough crap right now and doesnt need all of u people who dont even know him talkin bad about him. get all the facts before u come to a conclusion. i have many friends who have lied about bein with an older man just to get attention. what they dont realize is that this is no joking matter. a man of innocence could go to jail for something he really didnt do. then what? do u honestly think that little girl is gunne be punished? i think not.
For everyones information vol. Firefighter do get compensated for their time and training. For each certification they obtain they get an increase. They also recieve longevity pay which is no longer paid to career firefighters.The stipend (pay) that the vol. firefighters receive is around 300.00 a month average. It may be more or less depending in their level of certification. Training is offered regularly and can be signed up for on the County Training Website.
Their are a lot of men and women that are vol firefighters that are very good at what they do. The fact this guy involved his department makes all firefighters (career and Volunteer) look bad and makes taxpaying citizens question the integrity of our public safety system. Lets take away the fact this guy is a vol firefighter and look at the ethical facts. He committed a crime of what is known as statutory rape and grand theft. It doesnt matter if they are a good guy or not. This individule committed a crime, broke the law and should be punished. End of story. I’d be willing to bet if it happened to you, you would not be interested in if they were a good guy or not. You would want them punished and you would want compensation.
Horrific, the volunteers in this county get paid a stipend. The Century Volunteer Fire Dept was in the spotlight a few years ago because they were getting paid stipends and were not certified to do so because of inadequate training…that included the cheif. I’ll bet those mispayed stipends were never paid back to the county.
I have been a volunteer fireman in a little bigger place few years back. There’s not a lot of training because your a volunteer. Also there’s more sleeping and t.v. watching than you might expect. So don’t make being a vfm out as a huge deal.
You said it right horrific….
MUSTUKNOW
I mentioned PAID firefighters and I mentioned UNPAID FIREFIGHTERS.
I persume you are saying if I don’t sign up to be a firefighter that I don’t have
a say so.
Well your wrong about that.
You may think I’m just a smart aleck, but that just shows you how much you
know too.
I’m almost 70 years old. I did my share of volunteering in my life at everything
under the sun that I could. I have also done more charity work the first 10
years of my life than most ppl have done in their entire life.
IT’S YOUR TURN!
I did my time, I paid my dues, and I am still paying my taxes, and I will
exercise my First Amendment anytime I want.
I don’t want crooks on any truck that comes to my house for any reason.
I have had just about all I can stand of crooks since I moved here.
There are a lot of good cops, good firefighters, good public servants and
very good ppl here, but these kinds of ppl give everybody a BAD TASTE IN
THEIR MOUTHS!
Horriffic: I take it you will be at the next meeting so you can fill out an application and go through the training to become a volunteer firefighter. I agree we do not need criminals on our Police, Fire and EMS Service but I will tell you a VOLUNTEER FIREMAN gets paid NOTHING and most people are not willing to give their time, effort, gas, etc day in and day out just to ride in the big red truck and run the blinky lights and sound the siren. All Volunteer firemen are SUPPOSE to go through background checks (depending on the state, ever 5 years +/-) It is very hard to get enough people to volunteer to be a fireman, go through the REQUIRED TRAINING and actually show up to the calls. So yes, you Mr. Public do have a say in how your tax dollar is being spent but make no mistake about it VOLUNTEER FIREMENT are not paid and receive no compensation for their time and effort. I am sure your local fire department would be glad to have some as knowledgeable as you among their ranks.
You know and this crap of someone having a negative opinion of a fireman,
cop, or even a whole department and someone else saying then don’t call them
is a lot of hoohah!
THEY they pay their taxes and therefore they have a right to the services they pay
for and a right to say something about bad ppl who work in those services..
It is after all their employees! All county employees are working for US the
tax payer.
As for volunteer departments, if they aren’t good guys do we really want them
on those departments and coming into our homes.
We certainly have a right to our say and to try to make bad things known so
something can be done about it.
Look at this guy and his father.
Don’t tell me this fire departments methods don’t need looked into !!!!!
That doesn’t make all firemen bad or fire departments, or even everyone
in that respective fire department.
Did he not help rescue the dogs and keep them out of the street as to were in hopes of not causing an accident? Only to dump them out back on the street were an accident could occur or injuries to the dogs which did not belong to him. Some of you are missing the point. He was a volunteer fireman. You don’t do that nor do you get away with it…that’s the issue with the dogs. The grand theif is for the dogs. Animals now have the same basic rights as you and I thanks to our liberal friends. So he broke some laws with the animals. He should be punished. Can’t believe some of you are defending this future felon and soon to be registered sex offender.
What was the ‘grand theft’ for? What did he steal?
To Ya Mama all I am going to say is YEAH RIGHT…….you are crazy to think that “She was probably scared to death of what was taking place.. Knowing what could happen to her if she said no, he could’ve killed her!” YEAH RIGHT give me a break
First things first,
There is a underage female here but yet ya’ll are worried about dogs?
Really, seriously?
No 15 year old, male nor female is capable of outsmarting and standing up to a 28 year old.
She was probably scared to death of what was taking place.. Knowing what could happen to her if she said no, he could’ve killed her !
But yet, folks are worried about dogs… Really?
a person does not have to know the girl… She is a minor commiting adult acts. She admitted to sleeping with him. Haven’t heard yet that he raped her…….
Well you all look even stupider than the two put together!! I mean look ya’ll are all fighting over something you dont know a thing about!! I know the girl and her family and I also know the Burketts. I just want to know one thing.. If he lied about the dogs, he’s capable of lying about the girl. You’re right, it is kinda dumb how dogs could bring this back up. But dont be so quick to judge. You ALL say you know DUSTIN RYAN BURKETT.. but do you know the girl?? I DIDNT THINK SO!!!!!
Here comes the good guy comments…lol. Every criminal was good at one time in there life.
dustin is a good guy do any thing for u . atleast the guy got his dog back . i dont believe dustin sleep with that girl a lot of people want his dad to retire from chief of fire dep i think just tryin get at him
dont be so quick to jundge him he a good guy
i just read all 67 comments without falling asleep. hooray for me.
Crazy said ‘IT IS OK FOR A 21 YEAR OLD TO BE MARRIED TO A 33 YEAR OLD OR SLEEP WITH A 33 YEAR OLD, SO WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE. THE GIRL IS 15 AND SNUCK OUT’
The difference is that the 21yr old is an adult. They are legally at the age of consent. At 15 they are called “jail bait” for a reason — It is illegal for an ADULT to “have relations” with them, no matter how old the kid looks / acts / talks.
Ill tell ya whats wrong with it.. a 22 year old with a 33 year old is not ILLEGAL. A person over 18 with a child is and should be. nuff said
The thought was for the families involved, not necessarily the person involved. Right or wrong if it is your child in trouble,comments cut deep. Each person makes their own way in life and some make wrong choices even when they are taught right.
I THINK PEOPLE NEED TO QUIT BEING SO QUICK TO JUDGE. TELL ME SOMETHING, IT IS OK FOR A 21 YEAR OLD TO BE MARRIED TO A 33 YEAR OLD OR SLEEP WITH A 33 YEAR OLD, SO WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE. THE GIRL IS 15 AND SNUCK OUT… THIS HAPPENED A YEAR AGO AND IS JUST NOW COMING OUT??? SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THE PARENTS OF THE GIRL JUST WANT ATTENTION… THEY NEED ATTENTION…NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT THEIR 15 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IS DOING. I SEE THIS ALL THE TIME. 15 AND 16 YEAR OLD GIRLS “DATING” OLDER MEN. THEY BREAK UP FOR SOME REASON AND GET MAD AND ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS YELL RAPE. NOW, IF THEY MAN DID DO IT WITHOUT CONSENT THAN HE SHOULD BE PUNISHED. WE ARE NOT THE JUDGE OF THAT AND WE ARE NOT THE MAN OR THE GIRL. TIME WILL TELL THE TRUTH, AND KARMA DOES EXIST!!!!!!
Yep, it’s kinda sad to think you are more worried about a 28 year old who’s always been under dadies protection, than the consequences of the actions he took on a 15 year old. Call it karma, justice or whatever but it will catch up with him. Let’s pray the justice system won’t fail this time.
@ yep first
im not here to argue with u like a 15 year old…. im just saying give the boy a chance to prove his innocence aint that what the justice system is for….hmmmm…. not for ppl like u to think u know what happen
to yep,
I guess a 28 year old man who had sex with a minor would not lie about it, hmmmmmm. He didn’t lie about the dogs either, now did he???????
If there was no witness its all he said she said….i think its so strange how ppl just believe a 15 year old without any proof she is a teenager they lie…. U dont know all the facts…. His life is ruined no matter what the outcome
The parents should be responsible for the girl, where were they when she was sneaking out with a 28 year old?
susieq I suppose you NEVER lie to you parents or SNEAKED out of the house or anything like that. These parents are GOOD parents who work hard, provide for and love their children with all their hearts. They DID pursue charges against Mr. Burkett, and NOTHING was ever done until he neglected 3 dogs. Have you not wondered how the ECSO knew about the sex charges against him? I’ll tell you how they knew; it was because the PARENTS pressed charges against him for having sex with their UNDERAGE daughter. The circumstances of the sexual charges are really insignificant. What IS significant is that HE is now & WAS then a LEGAL ADULT who had sex with a girl who had NO LEGAL right to do so. What is even more DISGUSTING is that it took the abuse of dogs before he abuse of a child could be proecuted. Thank-you all & have a Blessed day.
this person right here does know Ryan, and obviously knows him better than you yep. You just don’t know this side of Ryan……and YES it will all come to light and you WILL see how much you really know about him.
This is just completely not right. I normally do not post my comments on this website. People need to remember that this is someone’s son, someone’s brother and someone’s friend. I have known Ryan since I was a child. He is a good guy and he doesn’t deserve this. He has helped others in so many ways in their time of need, myself included, and he did it unselfishly. The fact that the first charged happened over a year ago doesn’t even seem worth talking about and the abadonment of dogs??? Seriously?? It’s Century people. We have one burger joint and last time I remember stray dogs were everywhere. This is a young man’s life and everyone please remember there are two sides to every story. Ryan, you hang in there and remember who your friends are. We love you and are praying for you. You will make it through this.
What happen to innocent till proven guilty…. Most of you dont even know ryan he is not like that at all…. Ever thought maybe this girl could be lying… Lil girls r like that guys shoot them down and they get mad… It happens all the time…. Keep ur head up ryan it will all come to light oneday
The prior charges were swepped under the rug. It’s not exactly the parents who didn’t want to file them. Would it be possible that the charges were discouraged by some well known individuals like politicians??????? Just funny to see that last name and knowing the tight bond between the burketts and our county politics. This again shows how crooked our local government really is.
for any parent who THINKS they know where there kids are at all times…WAKE UP! You DO NOT know….i have had kids tell me that they went out to twon with their brother/sister (a grandma told me once that her grandchildren were always together and she knew where they were, they left together and came home together, therefore, she knew where they were and what they were doing), YEAH, RIGHT! The girl told me herself, that she left the house with her brother and got in the car w/ the boyfriend as soon as they got to town and then back in the car with the brother just in time to go home (which was at the grandmothers house)…I had the last laugh on that one because she thought her grandkids were perfect angels and always did as she wanted. These young girls who are 13-15 years old tell these boys are 18-21 years old, and some of them look it, they have been wearing tons of make up for years and dress like they are that old (and what’s worse is parents let these girls go out looking like that. A 12-15 year od girl should dress like what they are, a child…this is how they get taken advantage of….kids aren’t kids anymore, they want to b grown immediately, and when they go off and have babies at the age of 14-16 years old, they will be grown, but mom and dad will end up raising these kids for them while they are still trying to raise the parents….yes, sometimes the girls are to blame, but so are the parents and the young MEN…..if a girl tells you she’s at leats 16, ask to see their drivers license for GODS sake!….AND MAKE SURE YOUR NOT 18, OR YOU WILL BE FACING WHAT THIS GUY IS FACING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i wanna give PROPS to the parents of this child!!! THIS IS GROWN MAN. and i for a fact know that when this situation came up a year ago, these parents were just that…PARENTS. THEY FOUGHT TOOTH & NAIL TO STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT, AND BECAUSE OF WHO RYAN IS…OR SHOULD I SAY, BECAUSE OF WHO IS DADDY IS?!?!?! IT WAS BASICALLY SWEPT UNDER THE RUG… and i thank GOD for the dog situation, or this never would’ve been brought to light!!! i unfortunately know what is like to be a teenager and when i myself was taken advatage of by an OLDER MAN, my parents did not teach me wrong from right, or show me that i was worth fighting for…. they made me move in with this GROWN man that was 24 and i was 15…. so all of you that don’t know the truth and want to lay blame on people, i think you should CLEAN OFF YOUR OWN POARCH FIRST!!! and further more… ALL OF YOU PARENTS WITH “INNOCENT” CHILDREN… MAYBE YOU SHOULD INVEST IN SOME SECURITY MONITORS SO YOU CAN SEE JUST WHAT A REAL TEEN IS LIKE. THEN POINT YOUR FINGER!!! lay blame on the parents or this CHILD if you like, but i pray that your children or generations to come don’t have to face this, cause that’s when I PRAY YOU SIT BACK & REMEMBER YOUR HATEFUL COMMENTS TOWARDS THIS VICTIM…
it’s kinda funny how some of you are trying to protect this 28 year old man and trying to blame it all on a 15 year old and her family. Of course you don’t know this about Ryan. This isn’t the type of thing that people like him would advertise. Lets put the blame on the ADULT who should’ve known better than to sleep with a child!!!!!!!
His parents must be so proud….
HELLO! Someone blame the parents or at least the girl. She was the one sneaking out!!!!!! It takes two to tango. Yes, there is an age difference, but as I recall, when I was 15, I was very aware of the actions I took part in!!!
Know Ryan since he was a young kid never known him to give any one trouble.He would not hurt anyone. It makes me not want my boys to leave the house. Not pointing fingers but why was she not with her parents at this age ?my girls and boys did not go any where at her age with out family what did she tell her parents she was doing and where she was? A 15 year old girl should have knew not to have sex with a boy no matter what age. Prays go out to all.
Teens think they know it all – we try to raise them right and they think we’re stupid and over-powering and cruel. When they get out in the world – the real world – they will see we weren’t so dumb…… Just who do we blame for our kids not respecting us, or the teachers, or the principals? I blame Dr. Spock and all the other do gooders who made it illegal for us to spank our own kids. We can only do the best we can and pray they make it to 18 so the blame can rest on their shoulders from then on. What was the grand theft for – what did he steal? I can’t believe it took 3 dogs to get this man to justice. He has ruined his life whether convicted of any of these charges. And pray? Yes, I’ll pray but we can’t just turn away, ignor these crimes and leave the judgement to God. If we don’t punish criminals, soon there will be nothing but criminals and no one to pray.
And, JohnMolino, I’m sure nepotism goes on in all parts of the country in all forms of businesses and volunteer departments – not just the South.
You can’t rape the willing
Isn’t it funny how since last year, they’ve had the p/c to arrest this guy and didn’t? It’s just one more unit of the Sheriffs Office that’s allowing these type people to run the streets and re-offend. Sounds like Morgan needs to clean his own house before cleaning the public’s. I can see the conversation at the coffee line. “hey, didn’t we have something we could charge him with too”
So it took 3 lost dogs to bring up charges of sex abuse?
Lets save tax payers money, fire the cops and put them dogs to work!!!
[_]\…..for saving millions of dollars.
How bout it DHG?
WOW, I AM PRAYING FOR ALL FAMILIES AND ANIMALS INVOLVED. THE LORD MAKES THE FINAL JUDGMENT, NOT ANY OF US. I PRAY FOR THE WHOLE SITUATION, IT WILL ALL COME OUT IN THE WASH. I JUST HAVE TO SAY HOWEVER, IT IS STRANGE THAT NO CHARGES COULD BE BROUGHT A YR AGO WHEN THE PARENTS TRIED BUT NOW THEY CAN ??? GUESS I AM CLUELESS HERE. I TOLD MY DTR TONIGHT WHEN SHE CAME HOME FROM CHURCH SHE HAD HEARD A RUMOR AT CHURCH OF ALL PLACES AND WANTED TO TELL HER FRIEND ABOUT IT AND IT WAS SOMETHING UGLY SAID ABOUT A YOUNG MAN, I TOLD HER IT DID NOT INVOLVE HER AND BEST TO STAY OUT OF IT SINCE SHE DOES NOT HAVE ALL THE FACTS. ONE THING IS FOR SURE, OUR GOD DOES KNOW THE TRUTH SO I WILL BE PRAYING . =
Helluva way to dishonor all the hard work and sacrifice that Volunteer Firefighters all across America work for day in and day out. Having spent a great deal of time in volunteering as a Firefighter, I always questioned the nepotism in the Volunteer ranks here in the South.
Hank said “do as the old indian proverb and be silent until you have walked a mile in his shoes.”
No Thanks!! I have managed to stay out of jail thus far by being smart about my dates and compassionate towards my animals.
Ditto to Sandra
You walk a mile in his shoes. Meanwhile I’ll keep my dogs and teenage daughters away from him.
My thoughts and prayers are with all families involved. Instead of criticizing others, do as the old indian proverb and be silent until you have walked a mile in his shoes.
Saying this girl is lying in this situation is the most petty thing you could say or do. With him being over 25 praying on a young child, especially in a small town where everyone knows everyone and their business, is inexusable in any light. And dropping dogs off in the middle of no where with no food, water or shelter .. that’s just ludicruis. I hope justice is served to the man who deserves it.
Regardles of where this man is guilty or not what he is guilty of is being stupid. And stupidity by definition is when you know better and do it anyway. Point being as old as he is what the heck was he doing going for a girl that young? That is just wrong! Just my humble opinion. I know some of you will disagree and that is okay. He knew better than to attempt to go with someone that much younger. So, you get what you left yourself open to. Maybe some where down the road he will exercise common sense. Geez how could he allow him self to be in that kind of situation in the first place.
Look here you people need to know all the facts before you go running your mouth. Her parents did press charges but no body did anything about it
Some of you need to be very careful with your stone throwing. One of those stones may just ricochet and shatter those glass houses you live in or, better yet, knock you off of the high horse you’re sitting on. I agree that IF the young man is guilty of the charges in which he is being accused then may justice prevail, but IF the 15 year old lied to get what she wanted, then may justice prevail also for her.
You reap what you sow!
So you have a 15 year old that looks older and that he just hopes is 18? He was 27 at the time and as small as this county is, don’t tell me he didn’t know what grade she was in or old she really was. I pray for the girl and her family. It is so easy when you are that age to get taken advantage of by somebody older. Wierd to me about the whole dog thing…just seems like a strange series of events that has more to it than what we are hearing.
I DON’T THINK ANYONE IS BLAMING THE KID HOWEVER INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IS THE JUSTICE SYSTEM RIGHT ? WHO KNOWS WHAT REALLY HAPPENED AS THIS MAY BE AN INNOCENT MAN THAT WAS TOLD BY A 15 YR OLD THAT SHE WAS 18 WHICH MY DTR IS 14 AND COULD PASS FOR 18 AND HE COULD HAVE DROPPED SOME DOGS OFF THAT WERE NOT HIS RESPONSIBILITY AND YES THAT IS A MISTAKE AND I AM SURE HE WILL BE PAYING FOR THAT AS WELL AS PAYING FOR HAVING SEX WITH A 15 YR OLD IF HE DID THAT HOWEVER I AM ALL ABOUT GETTING THE FACTS BEFORE YOU GO POINTING FINGERS. THANK GOD FOR THE WONDERFULL PEOPLE WE HAVE TO VOLENTEER FOR US AND RISK THEIR LIVES ON A DAILY BASIS AND SHAME ON YOU FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GUILTY FOR SUCH CRIMES AS THIS MAN HAS BEEN CHARGED ( NOT CONVICTED AS OF NOW ) AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF THOSE OUT THERE INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO FIREMEN, DOCTORS, TEACHERS, POLITICIANS, ECT…..AND PLENTLY OF SCUMS OUT THERE THAT DONT HAVE ANY JOB, SO I AM NOT BLAMING THE KID OR HER PARENTS AS NO MATTER WHAT A GREAT FAMILY YOU COME FROM OR HOW YOU WERE RAISED EVERYONE STILL MAKES MISTAKES, HOWEVER I AM NOT BLAMING THIS MAN EITHER UNTIL CONVICTED.
A 28 year old man knew where she was and the point is ?
I’m sorry. I just can NOT believe people are jumping on the bandwagon to blame this kid?? HELLO!!! He was 12yrs older?? Can we put the stinking responsibility on the ADULT for one time????
Good Lord help us if we work this hard to find excuses for child molestors and sexual offenders.
Well, I have to say that being the parents of teenagers is a tough thing to go through. Teens will lie to get their way. This girl may have told him she was 18 because all us adults know what it is like to be young and have those raging hormones. So many times, parents are right on top of their teens, participating in school events, chaparoning for them and such, but the teen still gets in trouble. All day you can say, “I know where my child is”, but really have no clue as to what they are up to. So, a parent is stuck. Either you loosen the chains to teach a little responsibility, or lock them down so tight that when they do turn 18 and have the legal right to leave, they are so wild they can’t handle freedom. So, to say the parents weren’t there is unfair. These parents may have thought they knew exactly where their teenager was, but she could have lied because she possibly thought Ryan Burkett was cute, or whatnot, and possibly could have told him she was of age. So many possibilities. As the survivor of three teenage daughters, I can truly say that teenage years are the toughest. If a parent is strict, it’s child abuse. If they are too lieniet, they are bad parents. Sometimes we need to just call it what it is.
For all of you saying that there is something fishy because if it was your kid you would have pressed charges immediately – not everyone is fortunate enough to be your kid. Some kids have parents who watch the abuse take place and do nothing…. not that I know anything about that.
As for waiting a year – it could have been any number of things – some parents give the child the choice, after all it is the child who has to testify and be ripped apart on community comments simply because she is 15yrs old instead of 5. Being 15 doesn’t mean you understand the opportunity to say no – not that I know anything about that.
Or it could have been the parents choice – let it ride, don’t bring any attention to the matter, it couldn’t have been that bad; or thinking they are doing the right thing not having the child go through it all over again in public trial.
Regardless of the reasoning, I am glad it will have its day in court.
I refer back to my comments on the original dog story:
I care about this story.
A) I care about dogs being thrown out (and allowed to run loose)
B) I care about the integrity of people who may be in my home while I am in a crisis
C) I care about the compassion of people who may respond to an accident involving myself or my family
D) I care about seeing a law, no matter how “small” , enforced in our ridiculous wrist-slapping judicial system.
@meforone
yes they are living breathing creatures and I do not think anyone should mistreat animals, but I do not think peoples lives should be ruined for something such as dumping dogs, why didn’t the owner have the dogs in a safe secure environment to start with instead of them wondering down roads and starving to death? Was it the firemens job to find a new home for the dogs? NO! That is all we need, the firemen using tax payers money to food, water and shelter dogs!
And you are right apparently the parents were not there, and they apparently had no idea where their 15 year old daughter was either!! DUH!
Yep I agree with you. The parents pursued charges from the get go, but were stonewalled, because he’s from a good family and has such good character. The fact is that he is a grown man, responsible for HIS own actions. No matter what did or did not happen, he, being a legal adult, should have had enough fortitde to walk away and protect himself, now it’s too late.
As for the dogs, God created animals before man, and gave us the responsiblity to provide for them. If he had no intentions of doing right by the dogs, he shouldn’t have made himself responsible for them.I do pray for the situation as a whole; for the girl, her parents, and for Mr. Burkett & his family.
Thank-goodness the father of the girl didn’t go vigilanti, as I’m sure he probaably wanted too, & allowed the jutice system to finally do it’s job.
I think it is sad about the deal with the dogs, I just wonder why the original owner of the dogs has not been charged with abandoning them? Were they close to his residence when found by the firemen?
As far as the 15 y/o and the sexual assault….. Something just doesn’t seem right here. Not saying it did or did not happen, however I can tell you from experience that if a adult messes with my teen I will not rest until he pays for his crime!!! Been there done that and YES THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY prosecuted but we didn’t weight over a year to press charges…. I know if it did happen then the young lady will have to deal with it the rest of her life and everyone’s debating it back and forth is not going to help her.
I hope North Escambia follows up with this, somehow I think there are going to be as many twist and turns here as the Nodine case…
UMMMMM….HELLO….. those of you HUNTERS that take the collar of your hound at the end of huntin season cause the dog doesn’t hunt good enough and drop him off on 164….YOU ARE NO BETTER…. and I know plenty of you that have done that….dont be tooo quick to judge…
and those of you that have 15-17 year old girls that are dating 18 year old guys…
the girl was (14) he was (18) that is a FINE line…. if she was 15 and he was 17 and they have been boyfirend and girlfriend for a year or two and he turns 18 and she is 16, and they break up, is that wrong…when you let them date for those 2 years…. If your daughter sneaks out of your house and meets some guy somewhere and you have NO idea….guess you better call an alarm company…but don’t pass judgements when you dont have all the facts… I know of two girls right now in this area that have lied to guy about their age and gone out with an older guy and he never knew the difference….YOU TEENAGE GUYS need to ID these girls you want to go out with…they are not alll honest…. I like most of you have known Ryan a long time and yes it is a shock to me that he would drop the dogs off on the side of the road but in all reality why doesnt the north end have a shelter up here…would our tax dollars feed three dogs at the fire house while we found a home or the owner….would they have gotten a free ride on the fire truck… I think the animal shelter should carry some price for not coming up here in the first place to get them… Just because he made a mistake does that mean he gets slandered or thrown under the bus… oh wait…I forgot its century…..yea…noone has anything better to do then sit back and judge and point fingers…. by the grace of God there go I.. (my 15 year old daughter could pass for 18) through no fault of her own…
THE PARENTS PURSUED THIS MATTER AS SOON AS THEY FOUND OUT. THEY DID NOT WAIT A YEAR TO DO ANYTHING. THEY WERE TOLD THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE DOG ISSUE CAME UP AND IT WAS FOUND OUT THAT HE WAS NEVER CHARGED. THE FAMILY WANTED THIS TO BE OVER WHEN THEY FIRST CALLED THE POLICE OVER A YEAR AGO. ALSO THIS 15 YEAR OLD WAS NOT ALOUD TO GO OUT RIDING WITH BOYS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. DON’T MAKE HER OR HER PARENTS OUT TO BE BAD PEOPLE, BECAUSE THEY ARE THE VICTIMS OF A VERY SICK INDIVIDUAL. I WONDER HOW MANY OTHER GIRLS THERE ARE…..
I agree something is up, the dog issue comes up and suddenly he has sex charges brought against him from back in 2009? why wasnt it done then? It sounds like some animal/PETA type person decided to just do him in
They weren’t just dogs. They are living breath creatures. And if that don’t do it for you they were someones property. And yes the girl has parents or parent. And how for goodness sake changes the contact in question. Legal is legal. Wrong is wrong. Parents were not there but he must have been.
Please pray for this girl and her family. It can be a terrible ordeal for all involved to try to follow though with charges in cases like this one.
Re-victimization is a very real concern, and likely was the reason why they decided not pursue it. Getting a conviction is court is very difficult, and they family likely weighted the advantage and disadvantages and made the best decision they could.
Pray for the man also. Remember that all these are charges… he will go through this process, and whatever the truth of the matter.. may he realize the mistakes he HAS made.
Glad the dogs are at home and happy, they may well be the only ones for whom the recovery is easy, or complete.
Oh wow. Seriously.? I mean He’s the cheifs son.? Hm. Wonder what kinda drama this is gonna start. That’s sadd. I mean one there Dogs, what did they ever do to you.? Two,gosh are you so desperate that you have to do that with a teenage girl.? Seriouslyy.? Wow,ryan,never knew you were like thatt.
WOW, 15 YR OLD GIRL ? I HAVE A 13 YR OLD AND COULD NOT IMAGINE NOT PURSUING CHARGES IMMEDIATELY AND WOULD NOT HAVE STOPPED UNTIL HE WAS BEHIND BARS, THIS YOUNG MAN APPARENTY NEEDS HELP AS HE OBVIOUSLY MAKES WRONG IMPULSE DECISIONS OR EITHER IN THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME. MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE PARENTS OF THIS YOUNG GIRL AS WELL AS THE DOG OWNERS AND FAMILY OF THIS YOUNG MAN, I REMEMBER PASSING THESE DOGS ON HWY 4 ON MY WAY TO WORK ONE MORNING AND I WAS THINKING WOW, GUESS THEIR RUNNING IN THE PACK AND MAKING A HIKING TRIP AS I SEE DOGS RUNNING IN PACKS ALL THE TIME, I MEAN COME ON THIS IS THE COUNTRY, THE POOR DOGS WERE DIGGING IN SOME TRASH THAT WAS ALSO THROWED OUT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, IM TALKING ABOUT A ENTIRE LARGE BLACK TRASH BAG ! WONDER WHOM DUMPED THAT OR IF THEY WILL GET CAUGHT ? I AM SURE THIS YOUNG MAN IS PAYING FOR WHAT HE DID GOING FROM BEING A VOLENTEER FIREFIGHTER TO BEHIND BARS ! DONT KNOW WHY HE DUMPED THE DOGS, COULD HAVE BEEN JUST A WRONG DECISION AND THE GIRL ( JUST WONDERING IF THERE WAS EVIDENCE OR JUST WORDS AGAINST WORDS ) I AM FRUSTRATED ALSO WITH NOBODY HEARS ABOUT SOMETHING ABOUT A TEENAGER WITH THIS MAN TILL A YEAR LATER AFTER THE INCIDENT SUPPOSABLY TOOK PLACE UNTIL NOW SOMETHING IS GOING ON ABOUT DOGS ??? ) WOW ! EITHER THIS MAN NEEDS SOME HELP OR SOME PEOPLE REALLY HAVE IT OUT FOR THIS GUY. WILL PRAYING FOR ALL.
You know it is easy for all of you to pass quick judgement on this young man, but the dog story don’t add up. And I agree they are just dogs….it should not get a human jail time! Maybe some community service…..and as for the 15 year old…..he should have had better sense, but where were her parents…..when I was 15 my parents didn’t let me just hang out and ride around with friends! I was either with them and if I were with friends they knew the parents and did not let me go to people’s houses where the parents would let me do what i wanted. Parents should start being held accountable too!
dang! this story just got more and more crazy. i’m glad the dogs are alright, and i’m glad the girl is alright, and i hope justice is served.
He needs to be immediately removed from the volunteer fire ranks pending the outcome of his case. I would not want him responding to my house.
I wonder if Dustin Burkett used his official position as a fireman to facilitate his sexual assault on the young teen.
The parents wanted charges pressed a year ago and they were told that there was nothing that could be done. Mr. Burkett thought he got away with it. The dog issue just brought all this to light!!!!!!
You can hold anything back with a Lawyer. Drag a person in the dirt. The dog case just blindsided him. As huh stated on the first report on this matter. Their just dogs who cares. Look here now , this is just an under age girl. Don’t even say it. if he would man up , 28 he’s just a baby. That’s the accountability mind set for the times we live in. Bull !
Just wondering why the girls family would press charges NOW? Why not a year ago?
Abandoning animals is not a *mistake*. It is ILLEGAL in Escambia Co, regardless of how great your family is.
ryan burkett? wow.
All I can tell you is that he comes from a great family. Reggie has provided numerous hours of public service and led the Fire dept. to higher standards. We don’t know the whole story, but if he had relations with an underage girl he will get what he deserves.
David wrote:
>> Why did it take a year and a half to issue an arrest warrant for the sex charge and only few weeks on the dog charge? Something smells
Big Al said:
>>Let’s see. A year and a half ago this man was accused of improper sexual contact with a minor. I didn’t hear a word about it. Last week he was accused of abandoning 3 dogs and it is all over the news. Does anyone else see anything out of order here??
A sexual battery is not going to make the news until the girl/parents decide to press charges. If it took them a year to press charges, it would going to take a year to get the a warrant signed.
Why did it take a year and a half to issue an arrest warrant for the sex charge and only few weeks on the dog charge? Something smells.
Probably known as a Great guy.
I cast not the first stone lest it comes back to me
I wonder what they would find if they dug in all our closets,don,t be so quick to judge this young man. some people take mistakes and turn them around to be something ther,re not
This dog story is one of the screwiest stories ever. Good job covering it. How utterly creepy is this guy.
pathetic!!!!!!
Let’s see. A year and a half ago this man was accused of improper sexual contact with a minor. I didn’t hear a word about it. Last week he was accused of abandoning 3 dogs and it is all over the news. Does anyone else see anything out of order here??