Former Boston Red Sox pitcher arrested on child molestation charges

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (WJW) – A former Major League Baseball player was among 27 people arrested in an undercover investigation targeting child predators.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office announced the arrests Monday.

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

Maddox is a former pitcher for the Boston Red Sox.

Video from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office showed the arrest. According to police, Maddox resisted until the department’s K-9 officer intervened.

Maddox was arrested on four felony charges: traveling to a meeting after using a computer to seduce/solicit/lure a child; Recruiting a child via computer; unlawful use of a communications device; and producing or promoting a performance that involves a sexual performance by a child, according to NBC 10 in Boston.

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

“I’m not cut out for prison,” one suspect can be heard saying in the video.