Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Felipe Vazquez was arrested Tuesday morning on multiple charges including solicitation of a 13-year-old girl, police says.
Pennsylvania State Police took the 28-year-old MLB star into custody in Pittsburgh stemming from an arrest warrant out of Lee County, Florida, according to a statement from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
FDLE officials say that they have been investigating Vazquez since this August after they obtained information he was allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old female—now 15—who lives in Lee County.
The two, according to the FDLE statement, had an ongoing relationship. The victim allegedly received a video from Vazquez in July showing him “performing a sex act”, and text messages suggesting they would meet for sex after the baseball season was over.
Vazquez was charged with one count of computer pornography—solicitation of a child, and one count of providing obscene material to minors. Additional charges may be filed depending on the forensic results.
FDLE officials say Vazquez is being held at the Allegheny County Jail in Pittsburgh, awaiting extradition to Florida.
ESPN reported that the MLB has put Vazquez on administrative leave following his arrest. Frank Coonelly, president of the Pittsburgh Pirates, also confirmed this in 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,” said Coonelly, adding that the Pirates have informed the MLB Commissioner’s Office to place Vazquez on Administrative Leave and Restricted List.
A 2-time All-Star, Vazquez has been having a great 2019 season with the Pirates. MLB player stats show he currently has a 1.65 ERA, 28 saves, and 90 strikeouts. He signed a four-year, $22.5-million, contract in 2018, with $10 million club options for 2022 and 2023.
Earlier this year, the ex-Yankee and 1996 World Series MVP John Wetteland was charged in Texas with continuous sex abuse of a child. The Associated Press reported that the 52-year-old MLB Hall-of-Famer was accused of sexually exploiting a relative’s child during a two-year period, beginning in 2004. He posted $25,000 bond and was released shortly after his arrest.
