Felipe Vázquez: What we know about his arrest for solicitation of a child

Pirates All-Star closer Felipe Vázquez was arrested Tuesday in Pittsburgh for allegedly soliciting a child for sexual acts and faces multiple felonies in both Florida and Pennsylvania for separate crimes.

At a press conference in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday, Pennsylvania State Police spokesman Steve Limani said Vázquez would be arraigned later today and that Vázquez would likely remain in the state.

“There’s no reason to relinquish him until they work through the charges,” Limani said, adding that Florida authorities have been helpful.

Here’s the latest and what we know about his arrest:

Vázquez’s additional charges

Vázquez was charged with statutory sexual assault, unlawful contact with minor, corruption of minors and indecent assault of someone less than 16. In a six-page Pennsylvania criminal complaint released on Wednesday, police said Vazquez drove to the 13-year-old girls home in Westmoreland County and admitted he “had sex, but not really” with teen inside the car at the end of the driveway. Vazquez said the girl “looked too young and that she appeared to be 16 years of age or younger,” according to the complaint. “Nevertheless, Vazquez admitted to receiving cellular phone photographs of the victim in various stages of nudity and eventually committing sexual acts on herself. In response, he sent her photographs and videos of himself in various stages of nudity and committing sexual acts on himself. They were sent via social media and cellular phone.”

The charges are not related to the case in Florida.

The initial arrest warrant

Vázquez was arrested at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Pittsburgh and charged with “computer pornography, solicitation of a child and one count of providing obscene material to minors,” according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). 

The investigation

The investigation into Vázquez, 28, began in August 2019 after the FDLE obtained information that Vazquez had a reported sexual relationship with a 13-year-old girl, who now lives in Lee County, Florida. According to the FDLE, “the victim, now 15 years of age, was continuing to have a relationship with Vazquez via text messaging and received a video in July from him in which he is shown performing a sex act. Additionally, Vazquez allegedly sent the victim text messages suggesting they would meet for sex after his baseball season was over.”

Bail denied

During his arraignment Tuesday, a district judge in Pittsburgh denied Vázquez’s bail, saying the Venezuela native is a flight risk and for “safety of the victim.” His bail was denied a second time later Tuesday night. He is currently being held in Allegheny County Jail with an extradition hearing scheduled for Sept. 25, according to court records.

Pirates reaction

Pirates president Frank Coonley released a statement: “Today we were made aware of an active law enforcement investigation involving Felipe Vázquez and his subsequent arrest. We take this matter, and these charges in particular, extremely seriously.  We have informed the commissioner’s office of the investigation and arrest.”

In addition, Vázquez’s locker was cleaned out before Tuesday’s game against the Seattle Mariners and the team removed all banners around PNC Park featuring his likeness. 

Complete release:

Pirates President Frank Coonelly’s statement regarding Felipe Vazquez. pic.twitter.com/XWazDLP3YC

— Pirates (@Pirates) September 17, 2019

How did his teammates react?

“We don’t know anything for certain. These allegations are very, very serious. The term that was used earlier was heinous. Somebody’s life is going to be and has already been deeply affected by this. We’re not the most joyful club right now but we are professional so we do have a job to do.” — Pirates pitcher Chris Archer.

Chris Archer discusses the Felipe Vazquez situation, saying it hits close to home because he has a 14-year-old sister. #dkps#piratespic.twitter.com/9HlYiclu8Z

— Hunter Alek Homistek (@HunterAHomistek) September 17, 2019

What is Vázquez’s future in MLB?

Vázquez was immediately placed on Administrative Leave by the commissioner’s office and the Restricted List by the Pirates.  

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.