JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (TND) — A former Boston Red Sox pitcher was arrested in Florida Monday as part of an underage sex sting, according to authorities.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office identified 33-year-old Austin Maddox as one of 27 people arrested in "Operation Valiant Knight." They are accused of soliciting sex over the internet from people who they believed were children, officials said.
Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said during a news conference that Maddox "traveled with the intent of engaging in sexual activity with a 14-year-old child."
An arrest report reviewed by The Associated Press states Maddox began communicating with an undercover agent pretending to be an underage girl on April 28.
Maddox allegedly spoke with an individual who identified as a 14-year-old girl on the website "Skip the Games." Their conversation continued over text message, with Maddox allegedly arranging a place for the two to meet for sex, according to WFXT.
Citing investigators, WFXT reported that after he learned of the girl's age, Maddox allegedly said, "That's young, baby. I get in trouble for that. You can't even drive. You gonna stay with me all night?"
Maddox agreed to meet the girl at a pre-arranged location, where he was arrested by law enforcement officers, authorities said.
According to online records, Maddox was charged with the following:
- Traveling to meet after using a computer to solicit a child
- Solicitation of a child via computer to engage in sexual conduct
- Unlawful use of a two-way communication device
- Producing or promoting performance which included sexual performance by a child
He is being held on a $300,000 bond.
James Hill, a defense attorney for Maddox, said he intends to fight the allegations against him and will enter a plea of not guilty should formal charges be filed.
Maddox played college ball for the University of Florida and was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2012. He made his major league debut with the team in 2017 after several years in the minors. He spent about three months on the Red Sox roster before heading back to the minors to recover from shoulder injuries. He was released from the team in 2019.
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Editor's note: The Associated Press and WKRC contributed to this article.
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