Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez arrested over alleged solicitation of child
Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Felipe Vazquez was arrested this week and is facing some disturbing charges related to his alleged sexual involvement with a child.
Police in Lee County, Fla., said Tuesday that Vazquez has been arrested and is facing multiple charges including solicitation of a minor, providing obscene material to minors and computer pornography. The charges stem from an investigation that began in August and revealed Vazquez had a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old child, whom he communicated with via text message. The victim, now 15, received a video from Vazquez in July in which the pitcher was allegedly shown performing a sex act. Vazquez also sent the child text messages suggesting the two could meet for sex when the MLB season concludes.
Pittsburgh Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez has been arrested and charged with one count of computer pornography, solicitation of a child and one count of providing obscene material to minors, according to police in Lee County, Florida.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) September 17, 2019
Disturbing details from Lee County police on the arrest of Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez, who is facing multiple charges. pic.twitter.com/zkHlrMcgEw
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) September 17, 2019
Major League Baseball has placed Vazquez on administrative leave, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports.
Vazquez, 28, is in his fourth season with the Pirates, who acquired him in a trade with the Washington Nationals back in 2016. The left-hander has a 1.65 ERA with 28 saves in 31 attempts.
Vazquez recently made headlines for a fight with a teammate that supposedly started over what music was playing in the clubhouse. Kyle Crick, the other player involved in the altercation, suffered a season-ending finger injury. Vazquez needed six stitches in his nose. Both players were fined by the team.
