Former Boston Red Sox Pitcher Arrested in Florida Underage Sex Sting

Former Boston Red Sox pitcher, Austin Maddox, has been arrested in Florida as part of an extensive undercover operation targeting individuals soliciting sex from minors over the internet. The arrest took place late last month during a multi-agency operation led by Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters. Maddox, along with 26 other individuals, is accused of engaging in explicit conversations and arranging to meet children for sexual activities.

James Hill, a defense attorney representing Maddox, stated that his client intends to fight the allegations against him. Should formal charges be filed, Maddox plans to enter a plea of not guilty. The arrest report revealed that Maddox initiated contact with an undercover agent posing as an underage girl on April 28. Despite being informed that she was only 14 years old, Maddox continued to express his intent to engage in sexual activities.

Authorities disclosed that Maddox agreed to meet the girl at a predetermined location, where law enforcement officers apprehended him. Maddox, 33, is facing four felony charges, including one for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to solicit sex. He is currently being held in jail on a bond set at $300,000.

Maddox, a former college baseball player for the University of Florida, was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2012. After spending several years in the minor leagues, he made his major league debut in 2017. However, his time on the team was plagued by shoulder injuries, resulting in a return to the minor leagues for recovery. Maddox was eventually released from the Red Sox roster in 2019.

The arrest of a former professional athlete like Maddox underscores the importance of continued efforts to protect children from online predators. Authorities remain committed to these ongoing operations aimed at combating child exploitation and ensuring the safety of vulnerable individuals.