JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters announced on Monday arrests resulting from “Operation Valiant Knights,” where 27 men solicited sex over the internet from who they believed were children.
The operation took place from April 24-28 and the ages of those arrested ranged from 19 to 69. Among those arrested were former MLB player Austin Maddox, who is from Jacksonville and played for the Florida Gators in college and the Boston Red Sox in the MLB.
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When asked for comment on Maddox’s arrest, a Red Sox spokesperson told Action News Jax sister station Boston 25, “I don’t have anything for you on this.”
JSO released video showing Maddox and others arrested being taken into custody. Maddox was tackled to the ground by law enforcement and a K-9 officer had to get involved:
CHILD PREDATOR OPERATION:
— Jax Sheriff's Office (@JSOPIO) May 20, 2024
27 men thought they were chatting online with underage girls. Instead, they were talking to our detectives.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, along with our local, state, and federal partners with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force,… pic.twitter.com/b83oyAp1vd
Waters said JSO worked with the following agencies in the investigation:
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Homeland Security Investigations
- Naval Criminal Investigative Services
- INTERCEPT Task Force
- Clay County Sheriff’s Office
- St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office
- Bay County Sheriff’s Office
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement
- U.S. Marshal’s Service
- State Attorney’s Office
- U.S. Attorney’s Office
Waters said the objective of the operation was to “identify and arrest suspects who solicit children to engage in sexual acts using electronic devices.”
Undercover detectives posing as children chatted with these adults, “who committed to engaging in sex acts with purported minors,” Waters said.
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Waters said 24 of the arrests happened during the operation when the men who traveled to meet minors were arrested.
Three of the arrests happened “after follow-up investigations were conducted,” Waters said.
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Along with the arrest of Maddox, Waters also mentioned the following arrests from the operation:
- Kevin Pearce, a Duval County Public Schools maintenance worker. Action News Jax told you about Pearce’s arrest in April when the school district announced it.
- Mayo Clinic respiratory therapist Chad Sadlowski. We told you about his arrest earlier this month.
- Malcolm McGee, employed by the Army National Guard as a sergeant.
Action News Jax is continuing to go through the arrest reports and will have the latest updates on FOX30 Action News Jax at 4.
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