A shocking video released by law enforcement in Florida shows the moment former Boston Red Sox pitcher Austin Dean Maddox was arrested during an undercover sting operation targeting alleged child predators.
Maddox, 33, was one of 27 suspects the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office took into custody between April 24 and 28 in an operation dubbed “Valiant Knights.” The former pro baseball player now faces multiple felony charges, including traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity and soliciting a child online.
Take a look at the video —
NEW: Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Austin Maddox arrested in an underage s*x sting after he was caught trying to meet up with a 14-year-old.
Maddox was one of 28 people arrested in the sting.
The former MLB pitcher could be seen trying to enter a home when he was ambushed… pic.twitter.com/xkqSYpFNlX
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) May 20, 2024
“JSO and our partners put the highest priority on the safety and security of our children as the internet provides new and frightening opportunities for predators to victimize our children,” Sheriff T.K. Waters stated. “Our investigators will continue to proactively identify and apprehend child predators before they have the opportunity to act upon their perversions.”
Footage released by authorities shows Maddox, who played 13 games for the Red Sox in 2017, resisting arrest before a K-9 unit was deployed to subdue him. He had allegedly engaged in online conversation and made plans to meet who he thought was an underage girl, but was actually an undercover officer.
According to the sheriff’s office, Maddox specifically “intended to have sex with a 14-year-old” based on the communications. He now faces charges of traveling to seduce/solicit/lure a child, soliciting a child by computer, unlawful use of a communication device, and producing or promoting sexual performance by a child.
According to police, one suspect caught in the sting “showed up with a handgun and illegal drugs identified as MDMA,” while another was pulled over on his way to allegedly meet an 8-year-old child while still wearing hospital scrubs from his job.
“27 men thought they were chatting online with underage girls. Instead, they were talking to our detectives,” the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office wrote. The suspects now face a litany of charges including solicitation of a child and human trafficking.
For Maddox, it’s a spectacular fall from the heights of the major leagues. The Florida native was a third-round draft pick by the Red Sox in 2012 out of the University of Florida. After a few years in Boston’s farm system, he made his MLB debut in 2017 before retiring in 2020.
He is currently being held on $300,000 bond awaiting his next court appearance on May 28th. It’s unclear if Maddox has retained legal representation yet to defend him against the extremely serious accusations.
The joint operation between the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and other federal, state and local authorities is part of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. It sent a clear message that law enforcement will take aggressive action to snare alleged predators before they can hurt kids.