Former Red Sox Pitcher Austin Maddox Sentenced to Three Years in Prison in Underage Sex sting Case
Jacksonville, FL – September 12, 2025, 6:33 PM ET – Austin Maddox, a former pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, was sentenced to three years in federal prison today after pleading guilty to charges related to an undercover operation targeting individuals soliciting minors online. The sentencing concludes a case that has drawn national attention and marks a significant outcome in Florida’s ongoing efforts to combat online exploitation.
Maddox,34,entered a guilty plea on Thursday to one count of meeting a minor to commit unlawful acts and one count of unlawful use of a two-way communications device. In a plea agreement reached with Florida prosecutors, a charge of soliciting a child via computer was dropped.
Judge Lindsay Tygart presided over the sentencing at the Jacksonville courthouse. while Maddox faced a maximum sentence of five years, the judge credited him for 501 days already served in jail awaiting trial.Upon his release, Maddox will be subject to five years of sex offender probation.
The case originated from a multi-agency operation conducted in April 2024, which resulted in the arrest of 27 individuals accused of attempting to engage in sexual activity with individuals they believed to be children. Law enforcement officials confirmed Maddox was among those arrested after agreeing to meet an undercover operative at a prearranged location.
“This sentencing sends a clear message that those who prey on children will be held accountable for their actions,” stated a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. “We remain committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of our society and will continue to work with our partners to dismantle these networks of exploitation.”
Maddox’s baseball career included a stint at the University of Florida before being drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2012. He reached the major leagues in 2017, appearing in 13 games for the Red sox – his only season in MLB.
Adding another layer to the case, Maddox was already on probation for a prior drug offense at the time of his arrest in Baker County in November 2022. This prior legal issue was considered during the sentencing proceedings.
the investigation was a collaborative effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Keywords: Austin maddox, Boston Red sox, prison sentence, underage sex sting, florida, sex offender, child exploitation, MLB, Jacksonville, criminal justice, plea deal.
