PITTSBURGH – Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star closer Felipe Vazquez has been arrested on charges of pornography and soliciting a child.
Vazquez was taken into custody Tuesday morning by State Police on one count of computer pornography/solicitation of a child and one count of providing obscene material to minors. Both charges are felonies.
Vazquez made his major league debut for the Washington Nationals in 2015. He was later traded to the Pirates during the 2016 season.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement says it began investigating the 28-year-old Vazquez in August after learning of an alleged sexual relationship between Vazquez and a teenage girl living in Lee County, Florida. Authorities say Vazquez, who lives in Saint Cloud, Florida, and the victim began the relationship when the girl was 13.
The girl, now 15, allegedly received a video text message from Vazquez in July in which he was performing a sex act. Vazquez also allegedly texted the girl to ask if she wanted to meet for a sexual encounter following the end of the baseball season.
The Pirates said they have informed the MLB commissioner’s office and expect Vazquez to be placed on administrative leave.
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