Former Red Sox pitcher arrested in child sex sting

JACKSONVILLE, Florida (WJW) – A former Major League Baseball player was among 27 people arrested in an undercover child predator sting.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office announced the arrests Monday.

According to the sheriff’s office, Austin Maddox, 33, believed he was meeting a 14-year-old girl for sex. Instead, he was talking to undercover agents.

Maddox is a former Boston Red Sox pitcher.

Video from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office showed the arrest. Law enforcement said Maddox resisted until the department’s K-9 officer got involved.

Maddox was arrested on four felony charges — traveling to meet after using a computer to seduce/solicit/lure a child; soliciting a child by computer; unlawful use of a communication device; and producing or promoting a performance that includes sexual performance by a child, according to NBC 10 in Boston.

“27 men thought they were chatting online with underage girls. Instead, they were talking to our detectives,” the sheriff’s office said.

“I’m not cut out for jail,” you can hear one suspect say on the video.

FT. MYERS, FL – FEBRUARY 15: Austin Maddox #62 of the Boston Red Sox throws during a team workout on February 15, 2018 at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Florida . (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

FORT MYERS, FL – FEBRUARY 20: Austin Maddox #62 of the Boston Red Sox poses during Photo Day on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Steven Martine/MLB via Getty Images)

FT. MYERS, FL – FEBRUARY 12: Austin Maddox #62 of the Boston Red Sox arrives during a team workout on February 12, 2018 at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Florida . (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Maddox is scheduled to appear in court on May 28.

The former player was a standout at the University of Florida and was selected by Boston in the 2012 MLB Draft.

He retired in 2020.