Austin Maddox was arrested on Monday in Florida as part of a sting operation targeting underage girls.
Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters stated that Maddox was among 27 people arrested in an operation involving multiple agencies.
Officials accuse Maddox and those arrested of attempting to solicit sex via the internet, from people they believe to be children.
James Hill, his attorney, said that Maddox, 33 years old, will fight the accusations. If formal charges are filed against him, he will enter a not-guilty plea.
Maddox has been charged with four felonies, including traveling to a meeting after using a PC to solicit a minor. Maddox’s bail has been set to $300,000. He is currently in jail.
On April 28, Maddox communicated with an undercover girl who pretended she was a minor. The arrest report states that Maddox stated he wanted sex with a girl, even though he was told she was 14 years old.
Authorities met Maddox at a location they had agreed upon to arrest him.
Maddox, a Jacksonville native, played only 13 games for MLB in 2017. He threw 17,1 innings in which he gave up 13 hits, but only allowed one earned run. This is a 0.52 ERA.
EX-RED SOX PLAYER ARRESTED: A Florida sheriff said ex-Red Sox pitcher Austin Maddox was arrested after he tried to meet a teen girl for sex but got caught by deputies instead. Read more: https://t.co/6fu7ZeFpTY pic.twitter.com/MgHkmW4z4z
— WFLA NEWS (@WFLA) May 20, 2024
Maddox’s stay in the majors was cut short by shoulder injuries.
Boston drafted him in the third round of the 2012 MLB Draft. He was an outstanding player at the University of Florida. The professional side of things did not work out as he spent the majority of his time playing in the minors.
In 2018, he last pitched for three teams, including Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket.
Maddox was released from the team in 2019.
