Pittsburgh Pirates Pitcher Felipe Vazquez Charged With Soliciting A Child
The 28-year-old baseball player is facing serious charges.
Thomas Trompeter / shutterstock.comFelipe Vasquez has been buzzing in the media, and not for a good reason. The Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher was recently arrested on allegations that involve a sexual encounter with a minor. On top of previous indictments, he has since received a new batch of charges, and now faces serious consequences. Be honest, you’re probably wondering, who is Felipe Vasquez, and what’s going on? Read on for all the details!
1. He was taken into custody in Pittsburgh stemming from an arrest warrant in Florida.
Authorities were investigating allegations that Vazquez had a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old (now 15-year-old) girl in Lee County, Florida. The case has been ongoing since August 2017, with police officials investigating the validity of a sexual encounter that took place at her home in Scottsdale, about 30 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. Evidence also shows that Vasquez sent suggestive text messages, explicit nude photographs, and videos of himself committing sexual acts. According to an article by TMZ, “several electronic devices were seized from Vasquez's apartment in Pittsburgh during the investigation” as a result.
2. The alleged victim first contacted Vazquez on social media.
That’s when the two began talking. According to the complaint filed in Florida, the victim’s mother discovered the disturbing images and video on her daughter’s phone, along with a text from him stating,"I can't wait to see you during the off-season." The mother then informed Vazquez that her daughter was in fact a minor; this prompted her to file a complaint, and for detectives to spearhead an investigation into the matter.
3. According to a Pennsylvania criminal complaint, Vazquez fully admitted to the crime.
Records indicate that he described the sexual encounter as "sex but not really." He then told the victim she had to leave because the Pirates had a game that night. This all seems to ring true, as the girl informed police that Vazquez gave up.
4. Vazquez was arrested on one count of "computer pornography - solicitation of a child" and one count of "providing obscene material to minors."
He initially faced felony counts in the state of Florida, according to a Florida Department of Law Enforcement statement; however, he now faces more serious charges in the state of Pennsylvania, which will be handled first. These newer charges include felony statutory sexual assault, felony unlawful contact with a minor, felony corruption of a minor and misdemeanor indecent assault of a person less than 16 years old.
5. He's been placed on administrative leave as a result.
Pittsburgh Pirates president, Frank Connelly issued a statement on behalf of the team, which has since been shared on the team’s official Twitter account. In the statement, Connelly states, "we have informed the Commissioner's Office of the investigation and arrest. The CO will immediately place Felipe Vazquez on Administrative Leave (and, as a result, Restricted List) pursuant to the Joint MLB/MLBPA Policy."
6. What’s next for Vazquez?
Vazquez appeared before a Pennsylvania judge, and was denied bail. Not to mention, he could be facing years behind bars. Additional information keeps emerging by the day. For Vazquez, all of this is just the beginning.
Dominique is an unapologetic Scorpio (BIG co-star girl), reality TV loving heathen, and twentysomething, NYC-based writer with a moderately interesting life, knack for editing, and passion for content creation. Though no one asked, all opinions and words are her own and authentic— topics ranging from fashion and food, to beauty, lifestyle, music and everything in between.