How a former Red Sox player was busted in Florida child sex sting

A former Boston Red Sox pitcher was among dozens busted in a five-day Florida child sex sting operation dubbed “Operation Valiant Knights.”

Austin Maddox, 33, was arrested on four charges, including for traveling to meet after using a computer to solicit a child, according to Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office inmate records.

The former MLB righthander was arrested on April 28, while trying to enter a house where he believed an underaged girl was awaiting him, according to a video of the incident.

The video footage from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office shows Maddox leaving his red Ram pickup truck and walking toward the house. Police rushed out of the door, tackling Maddox on the front lawn.

According to the jail records, Maddox is still in custody. He is waiting for a trial and does not have an expected release date.

The police records show Maddox spoke with who he thought was a 14-year-old girl on a chat website called Skip the Games. The extent of the conversation is redacted.

Investigators said Maddox “expressed a desire to commit lewd acts” and after learning the girl’s age he allegedly said, “That’s young, baby. I get in trouble for that. You can’t even drive. You gonna stay with me all night?”

A sheriff’s spokesperson said in a video showing the arrest that a K9 had to be involved.

“While being taken into custody, the suspect did not make any statements,” the police report noted, adding that Maddox sustained injuries during the apprehension.

Police also recovered “medical marijuana gummies” and a “vape cartridge in dispensary package” from Maddox’s vehicle.

His payment required for release is at $300,012 for a total of four charges. Maddox was arrested for 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 two-way communication device, and promoting performance which includes sexual performance by a child.

How the sex sting operation worked

Maddox’s arrest was a part of larger operation that caught 27 men who thought they were chatting online with underage girls. They were instead talking with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office detectives.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office along with local, state and federal partners through the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force arrested the suspects during a five-day sting called “Operation Valiant Knights.”

Others arrest face a long list of felonies including human trafficking, according to the Sherriff’s Office.

Maddox’s attorney told the Associated Press he plans to enter a plea of not guilty once the charges are formally filed.

Who was Austin Maddox

Maddox is from a Jacksonville native who played college baseball for the University of Florida Gators.

He was drafted by the Red Sox in 2012.

Maddox had spent most his baseball career in the minor leagues. He appeared in 13 games for the Red Sox during the 2017 season, before he was sent back to the minors to recover from shoulder injuries.

Maddox was released from the team in 2019.