Photo: Tony Firriolo/MLB via Getty Images
Felipe Vázquez, a pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, was taken into custody on Tuesday after he allegedly had a sexual relationship with a minor via text messaging.
Vázquez, 28, was arrested in Pittsburgh after authorities obtained a search warrant out of Lee County, Florida — the same place where the minor he had allegedly been contacting was from, according to a press release from theFlorida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
The two-time All-Star pitcher faces one count of computer pornography, solicitation of a child and one count of providing obscene material to minors, the FDLE announced.
“At this time, any comment would be premature,” the attorney added.
Felipe Vázquez.Joe Sargent/Getty Images
The girl, who is now 15 years old, continued to have a relationship with Vázquez via text messaging and even allegedly received an explicit video from the professional pitcher in July, showing him “performing a sex act,” the FDLE said.
Through their series of text messages, Vázquez also told the girl that they would meet up for sex at the end of his baseball season, according to the FDLE.
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After finding the explicit content and text message exchanges on her daughter’s phone, the girl’s mother allegedly texted Vázquez on July 23 to notify him that the victim was a minor, the affidavit states.
FDLE agents and Pennsylvania State Police who arrived at Vazquez’s Pittsburgh apartment on Tuesday seized several of his electronic devices for examination and additional charges are pending the completion of forensic exams.
“Today we were made aware of an active law enforcement investigation involving Felipe Vázquez and his subsequent arrest,” Coonelly said. “We take this matter, and these charges in particular, extremely seriously.”
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“We have informed the Commissioner’s Office of the investigation and arrest,” he continued. “The Commissioner’s Office will immediately place Felipe Vázquez on Administrative Leave (and, as a result, Restricted List) pursuant to the Joint MLB/MLBPA Policy.”
Added Coonelly: “We need to be respectful to all involved and the ongoing legal proceeding. As a result, the organization, our staff and players cannot comment any further at this time.”
Vázquez, a lefty All-Star pitcher, held a 5-1 record on the 2019 season with an earned run average of 1.65, 90 strikeouts and 28 saves, according toBaseball-Reference.
Prior to his time on the Pirates, Vázquez played two years for the Washington Nationals.
source: people.com
