Former Boston Crimson Sox pitcher Austin Maddox was arrested in Florida as a part of an underage intercourse sting, authorities introduced Monday.

Maddox was certainly one of 27 folks arrested as a part of a multi-agency operation late final month, Jacksonville Sheriff T.Ok. Waters mentioned. They’re accused of soliciting intercourse over the web from individuals who they believed have been kids, officers mentioned.

James Hill, a protection legal professional for Maddox, mentioned he intends to battle the allegations towards him and can enter a plea of not responsible ought to formal prices be filed.

Maddox, 33, started speaking with an secret agent pretending to be an underage woman on April 28, an arrest report mentioned. He expressed his intent to have intercourse with the woman even after she instructed him that she was 14, officers mentioned.

Maddox agreed to satisfy the woman at a pre-arranged location, the place he was arrested by regulation enforcement officers, authorities mentioned.

He’s charged with 4 felony counts, together with touring to satisfy after utilizing a pc to solicit a baby. He’s being held in jail on a $300,000 bond.

Maddox performed school ball for the College of Florida and was drafted by the Boston Crimson Sox in 2012. He made his main league debut with the crew in 2017 after a number of years within the minors. He spent about three months on the Crimson Sox roster earlier than heading again to the minors to get better from shoulder accidents. He was launched from the crew in 2019.