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Ex-Red Sox Pitcher Austin Maddox Tackled By Gang Of Police While Trying To Meet Underage Girl (Video)

Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Austin Maddox was arrested in Florida after trying to meet an underage girl for a sexual encounter.

Maddox, originally from Jacksonville, Florida, was arrested by the city’s sheriff’s office during a four-day string called “Operation Valliant Knights” which resulted in the arrest of 27 men, including Maddox.

The official arrest report for Maddox says that he began speaking with an undercover agent that was posing as an underage girl on April 28. Despite the undercover agent, posing as an underage girl, stating they were 14 years old, Maddox expressed intent to have sex with her and agreed to meet at a planned location.

Video shared by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office shows the moment that Maddox, after exiting his red pickup truck, was arrested as he was tackled by a gang of officers while entering the sting house.

“These adults solicited sexual activity and committed to engaging in sex acts with purported minors at pre-arranged locations,” Sheriff T.K. Waters said.

The sheriff accused Maddox of traveling “with the intent of engaging in sexual activity with a 14-year-old child.” [via WFLA]

Maddox has been officially charged with was charged with traveling to meet after using a computer to seduce/solicit/lure a child, solicitation of a child via computer to engage in sexual conduct, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and produce/promote performance which includes sexual performance by a child.

According to Maddox’s attorney James Hill, the former MLB pro will enter a plea of not guilty if/when charges are filed. He is currently being held on a $300,000 bond.

Maddox, 33 years old, spent just two seasons with the Boston Red Sox in 2017 and 2018 after the team drafted him in the 3rd round of the 2012 MLB Draft. In 2017, Maddox made 13 appearances for the Red Sox.

Maddox spent the 2018 recovering from injury before being sent to the minor leagues in 2019. He’d then retire on February 28, 2020.