Dad of Red Sox prospect Groome arrested on drugs, weapons charges

The father of top Boston Red Sox pitching prospect Jay Groome faces multiple charges relating to possession and distribution of drugs and weapons, according to Alex Speier of the Boston Globe.

Jason Groome was one of three men arrested in New Jersey on Monday following a three-month investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies, as detailed in a release from the Ocean County prosecutor's office.

Of the three men arrested in the operation, the 43-year-old Groome faces the most charges (10), including one count each of distributing heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine. Per the Ocean County prosecutor, Groome was taken to jail; the other men were released on summons until they can be brought to court.

Jay, ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Red Sox No. 2 overall prospect, was drafted 12th overall by the club in 2016. The 18-year-old left-hander, currently pitching for Single-A Greenville, owns a 6.41 ERA and 1.48 WHIP across six starts this season.

"This is a legal matter that doesn't directly involve our player," Red Sox director of media relations Kevin Gregg said in a statement to Speier. "Of course we will continue to support Jay."