Pirates Star Felipe Vazquez Arrested on Charges of Pornography and Soliciting a Child
By Thomas Carannante
The Pittsburgh Pirates have been embroiled in all kinds of internal strife, but this one is going to send everything toppling over.
Star closer Felipe Vazquez has been arrested on charges of computer pornography, solicitation of a child, and providing obscene materials to a minor, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
BREAKING NEWS: #Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez arrested, charged with solicitation of a child, providing obscene material to minors.
— James Santelli (@JamesSantelli) September 17, 2019
Florida authorities say Vazquez sent a message to a 15-year-old girl suggesting they would meet for sex after the season. https://t.co/HhJTsxGrkw
The 28-year-old reliever was arrested in Pittsburgh on Tuesday morning. Police had a warrant from Lee County, Florida, which is awaiting his extradition as he is held in Allegheny County Jail.
According to Florida authorities, Vazquez sent a text to a 15-year-old girl suggesting they would meet after the MLB season and have sex.
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
It's been a season to forget for the Pirates, who might need to clean house before 2020 in order to get back on the right track. The culture in clearly toxic considering the year is being capped off with this heinous incident involving one of their best players in Vazquez.
In response to the serious allegations, the MLB has placed Vazquez on administrative leave.
Pittsburgh Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez is being put on administrative leave by Major League Baseball following his arrest for solicitation of a child, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) September 17, 2019
The Pirates confirmed this report in a statement.
Pirates confirm that the MLB Commissioner's Office has placed Vazquez on administrative leave.
— James Santelli (@JamesSantelli) September 17, 2019
FULL STATEMENT: pic.twitter.com/0HlvXimmdL
Understandably, they'll have no further comment at this time.
We'll have more informations as it becomes available. This is a developing story.