Former Red Sox pitcher Austin Maddox reportedly facing felony charges after being arrested in Florida child sex bust

Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Austin Maddox has been arrested in Florida, police announced Monday as per NBC Boston's Ashley Klein. The 33-year-old was one of 27 other men who have been alleged to have sexually exploited minors. The authorities conducted a sting operation, following which the arrest was initiated.

As per Klein's report, Maddox was arrested on April 28 and is facing four felony charges.

"A former Boston Red Sox pitcher is one of more than two dozen men recently arrested in a child sex solicitation sting, police in Florida announced Monday," Klein wrote in her report.

"Austin Dean Maddox was arrested April 28 on four felony charges, according to inmate records: 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."

The Jacksonville Sheriff's office shared their entire sting operation on social media. The operation conducted was named Valiant Knights and ran its course over five days. The Jacksonville Police received support from "local, state, and federal partners with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force."

Austin Maddox to enter not guilty plea: Defense attorney

According to Fox News, Austin Maddox's defense attorney, James Hill, will fight the allegations and charges leveled against him in court. Maddox will enter a not guilty plea and bail is set at $300,000.

An undercover agent from the Valiant Knights sting operation posed as an underage girl, whom Maddox communicated with over the phone. As per the arrest report, Maddox allegedly wanted to have sex with the presumed minor despite knowing she was 14.

Maddox arrived at the pre-determined location, where the authorities tackled him down for arrest.

Austin Maddox played for the Boston Red Sox, who drafted him in the third round of the 2012 MLB Draft. In 2017, Maddox posted a 0.52 ERA with a 14-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio,.200 batting average against, and 0.86 WHIP in 17.1 innings. Shoulder injuries derailed his MLB career and he retired on February 28, 2020.