Pittsburgh Pirates Vazquez Denied Bail In Sexual Assault Charges Against A 13 Year Old Girl
Professional baseball player, pitcher Felipe Vazquez,28, was arrested in Pennsylvania for solicitation of a 13 year old girl. The girl is now 15, and authorities say the baseball player started to have interaction with her 2 years ago.
There is also an active warrant for Vazquez in Florida, and that is what he was arrested on. Felipe is considered the best pitcher currently in Major League Baseball. The police say they were investigating Felipe after they were told he was having a sexual relationship with a 13 year old girl.
The girl’s mother found disturbing text messages and video on her daughter’s phone. She notified police, and Felipe was positively identified through his many unique tattoos. The arrest warrant states Vazquez and the girl have been having a sexual relationship since she was 13. They also say, Vazquez ‘was well aware of the girl’s age’.
Law Enforcement Expects Vazquez To Be Charged With Additional Crimes
Felipe was texting the girl daily, and planning to see her after the MLB season ended. A search warrant of Vazquez’s apartment in Pittsburgh netted several computers and phones with forensic evidence on them.
Vazquez has been with the Pirates since 2016, and last year signed a 4 year contract worth 22.5 million dollars. Pittsburgh Pirates President Frank Coonelly said they are aware of the continued criminal investigating regarding Vazquez.
Coonelly said “we take this matter very seriously, and Vazquez has now been placed on Administrative leave”. Coonelly also added, “We need to be respectful of all parties involved and ongoing legal proceeding. As a result, the organization, our staff and players cannot comment any further at this time”.
Felipe is facing three felony charges, with each charge possibly being five years in prison. Police have said a few times on Tuesday, that Felipe will be charged with additional crimes. According to the arrest warrant, Vazquez met the girl in 2017, when she was 13. They met at PNC Park,, and took pictures near the bullpen. The two started communicating on social media shortly after they met in person says legal documents.
Felipe Appeared At A Bail Hearing At 1:00 pm & Was Denied Bail By The Judge
Felipe Vazquez appeared before a judge in Pittsburgh to try to make bail. The judge denied bail for the native of Venezuela. The judge told Vazquez he was told by law enforcement, that more charges are coming. He also explained to Vazquez that he will be extradited to Florida where the alleged crimes took place.
Late on Tuesday afternoon, Vazquez was also charged with felony statutory sexual assault, felony, and unlawful sexual contact with a minor. He has also been charged with felony corruption of a minor, and indecent assault on a minor less than 16.
The Pirate’s manager Clint Hurdle, said the charges are ‘disturbing’ but more than that he can’t comment. Chris Archer, a Pirates Pitcher said, “we don’t know anything yet for certain, but the allegations are heinous”.