The former 33 -year- old, Boston Red Sox Pitcher Austin Maddox was arrested in Florida last month as part of a larger sting operation to crack down on guilty people involved in soliciting s*x from minors.ย
Before the arrest, Maddox was a professional baseball player who played for the Boston Red Sox and was drafted in the 3rd round in 2012. He also played college football at the University of Florida.
He retired from baseball in February 2020 after the 2019 season, when he suffered a lot of injuries and couldn’t play more. According to the Jacksonville Sheriff, Maddox was one of the 27 men caught in the sting operation named โValiant Knightโ that began on April 24 and ended on April 28.
To find the guilty, the undercover agents posing as children chatted online with the suspects, including Maddox who were accused of having agreed to meet minors and engage in s*xual activities with them at pre-arranged locations. As per the undercover operation, Maddox allegedly knew that the girl was 14 and still communicated with her to induce s*xual acts. He wrote:ย
That’s being young, baby. I get in trouble for that. You don’t even know how to drive. Are you going to stay with me all night?”
The officers in the sting operation, set a trap in the house by Jackson Villapolice when Maddox arrived to meet a 14- year-old – girl. As soon as he opened the door, he was struck to the ground by the K9 squad, handcuffed him and took him into custody.ย
Shocking footage of police in Florida arresting former Boston Red Sox pitcher Austin Maddox, after he attempted to meet an underage girl. Police were able to arrest a total of 27 people as part of the sting.
— Morbid Knowledge (@Morbidful) May 22, 2024
The individuals believed they were communicating with children online,โฆ pic.twitter.com/KeutxoPzmp
According to Waters, Maddox was arrested after he was found allegedly traveling with the motive of engaging in s*xual activity with a 14-year-old child. His arrest was based on four felony counts, including, โ agreeing to travel and meet a minor after using a computer to seduce, lure, and solicit a child to s*xual activity.ย
It indicated an unlawful use of a communication device and producing or promoting a performance that included a s*xual performance by a child.ย
Maddox is currently in jail on a $300,000 bond, and his next hearing will take place on May 28. His attorney told the Associated Press that he plans to enter into a plea of โnot guiltyโ once the charges are formally filed.
