Former Red Sox Player Austin Maddox Arrested in Operation Targeting Child Predators

Jacksonville police arrested Austin Maddox in an operation against child predators.

A former Boston Red Sox player, Austin Maddox, was arrested in Jacksonville, Florida, in an undercover operation against child predators, dubbed “Operation Valiant Knights.”

Maddox, 33, is charged with several felonies related to the sexual exploitation of minors. According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrest report, he has been charged with traveling to meet a minor after using a computer to deceive her via the Internet, unlawful use of a two-way communication device and producing or promoting material containing child sex.

Jacksonville Sheriff TK Waters reported that Maddox was arrested on April 28 when he arrived at the agreed location to meet a 14-year-old girl, but instead of his secret rendezvous he was met with a full squad of police. “Austin “Maddox, a former Major League Baseball player, traveled with the intent to engage in sexual activity with a minor,” Waters said at a news conference.

Former MLB player Austin Maddox faces charges for soliciting sex from an alleged minor under 14 years of age. (Jacksonville’s Sheriff’s Office)

According to the arrest report, Maddox began a conversation on the website “Skip the Games,” where he believed he was talking to a 14-year-old girl. He “expressed her desire to commit lewd acts” and, upon learning the girl’s age, he commented, “that’s young, baby. I’ll get in trouble for that. You can’t even drive. “Will you stay with me all night?”

Maddox was one of 27 men arrested in this operation, where undercover agents posed as children online to catch individuals seeking sexual activity with minors. The purpose of the operation, according to Sheriff Waters, was “to identify and arrest suspects who solicit children to engage in sexual acts using electronic devices.”

When Maddox arrived at the planned location, he was arrested by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, but not without resistance. In a video released by the sheriff’s office, Maddox is seen being pinned to the ground as an officer comments: “Former Major League Baseball player Austin Dean Maddox resisted arrest until our K9 (one of the burly deputies) “he got involved.”

Austin Maddox was arrested after trying to communicate with a minor and organizing a sexual encounter. (Elsa/Getty Images)

During his brief major league career, Maddox pitched in 13 games for the Red Sox in the 2017 season, posting a 0.52 ERA in 17.1 innings. However, he spent most of his career in the minor leagues and retired from professional baseball in 2020. When asked for comment on Maddox’s arrest, a Red Sox spokesperson told Boston 25: “I have nothing to comment on this.”

The operation, which has had the collaboration of several law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), underscores the continued work of authorities in the fight against child sexual exploitation. “These adults solicited sexual activity and agreed to engage in sexual acts with alleged minors at pre-arranged locations,” Sheriff Waters added.

Maddox’s case is not the only one that has shaken the world of professional baseball recently. Mike Clevinger, a pitcher for the Chicago White Sox, was investigated in 2023 for allegations of domestic violence and child abuse. In the summer of 2022, Olivia Finestead, mother of Clevinger’s daughter, contacted the MLB Investigations Department alleging physical, verbal and emotional abuse that she described on her Instagram stories.

Maddox was arrested on charges of solicitation of minors and unlawful use of communication devices. (Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

A report from The Blast indicates that, according to Finestead, Clevinger “strangled” her and, two weeks later, “slapped her in a hotel room while the team was playing the Dodgers” and threw “used chewed tobacco on his daughter.” MLB launched an investigation after learning of these allegations, although the White Sox claimed to be unaware of the allegations or the investigation at the time of signing Clevinger.

Finally, the MLB determined not to apply disciplinary measures against Clevinger after concluding the investigation. Clevinger strongly denied the allegations, and his attorney maintained that he “has never harmed Ms. Finestead or her daughter.”

2024-05-22 16:37:13
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