Former Red Sox Pitcher Austin Maddox Denies Allegations of Child Sex Crimes
Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Austin Maddox has denied allegations of child sex crimes after pleading not guilty to charges following his arrest during a raid in Jacksonville last month. Get the latest updates on this developing story.
Former Red Sox Pitcher Austin Maddox Pleads Not Guilty to Child Sex Crimes
Austin Maddox Elsa/Getty Images
Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Austin Maddox, 33, pleaded not guilty to a series of child sex crimes in a Duval County courtroom on Tuesday, May 28 after being arrested in Jacksonville, Florida last month. He is facing four felony charges, which include traveling to meet a minor after using a computer to seduce, solicit or lure a child, and solicitation of a child via computer to engage in sexual conduct.
The ex-MLB pitcher was arrested on April 28 as part of Operation Valiant Knights, a five-day federal sting that resulted in the arrest of 27 men for different sex crimes involving children.
Maddox was arrested after he traveled to meet a girl he believed to be 14 years old that he met online. When he arrived, he was taken into custody by a group of officers in a video that was later released on May 20.
The ex-athlete was tackled to the ground as he stepped out of his red pickup truck and was then handcuffed. According to the video's voiceover, Maddox resisted arrest until the police dog was brought in.
Former Red Sox Pitcher Austin Maddox Pleads Not Guilty to Child Sex Crimes
Austin Maddox, courtesy of the JACKSONVILLE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, was also charged with unlawful use of a two-way communication device and producing or promoting a performance involving sexual acts by a child under 18.
During a police briefing after the arrest video was released, Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters explained that the operation aimed to catch suspects who were trying to get children to do sexual things using electronic devices.
Sheriff Waters mentioned that undercover detectives pretended to be children online and talked to these adults. The adults then tried to get the children to do sexual things and agreed to meet up for sex at certain places. As soon as the adults showed up at these locations to meet the supposed minors, they were arrested on the spot.
Maddox’s next court date is scheduled for June 25.
A third round draft pick by the Red Sox in 2012, Maddox pitched in a total of 13 MLB games after making his debut in June 2017.
Maddox was part of the 2018 Red Sox team that secured the World Series victory, even though he didn't play in any games. Surprisingly, he was still given a World Series ring, which he tried to sell at an auction in November 2021.
Before making it to the big leagues, Maddox was a college baseball player at the University of Florida.
