Advertisement Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez now charged with statutory sex assault in Westmoreland County, also facing child solicitation charge in Florida Judge denies bail; Pirates pitcher held in Allegheny County Jail to await extradition hearing Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Court documents show Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Felipe Vazquez is now facing local felony charges, following his arrest earlier Tuesday on a warrant out of Florida on charges of computer pornography-solicitation of a child and providing obscene material to minors.A criminal docket out of Westmoreland County shows that Vazquez is charged with statutory sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor and corruption of minors, as well as misdemeanor indecent assault of a person less than 16 years old. The docket lists Scottdale as the location, and Aug. 1 as the date of the alleged offenses.Pirates manager Clint Hurdle reacts to Felipe Vazquez arrest: Tap the video player above to watch his comments.Prior to the filing of the Westmoreland charges, Vazquez's attorney requested bail, citing no allegations of a threat to the victim and saying that the baseball player has no criminal history and is not a flight risk. Bail was denied, with the judge saying that Vazquez was possibly a flight risk and that she was aware of the possibility of more charges.Vazquez, wearing a dark hoodie with glasses and a ponytail, said very little at the bail hearing.In a written statement, Pirates President Frank Coonelly said, "We take this matter, and these charges in particular, extremely seriously." The club added that Vazquez has been placed on administrative leave. (Scroll down to read the team's full statement.)Pennsylvania State Police in Greensburg said they will hold a news conference at 11 a.m. Wednesday to discuss the Vazquez case. A copy of the criminal complaint from Westmoreland County will be made available at that time, police said.The alleged victim lived in the Scottdale area when she met Vazquez two years ago, a law enforcement source told Pittsburgh's Action News 4.The girl, who is now 15, allegedly told police in Florida that she met Vazquez at PNC Park before a game two years ago, when she was 13, and that they took a photo together outside the bullpen, according to an incident report from the Lee County Sheriff's Office. The report claims that the girl told police she later found Vazquez on social media, and the relationship escalated from there.At one point, according to the incident report, Vazquez allegedly drove to the girl's home to meet her and allegedly attempted to have sex with the girl.Vazquez is being held at the Allegheny County Jail. A hearing to determine extradition to Lee County, Florida, is scheduled for Sept. 25, but now there will also need to be a preliminary hearing on the new charges from Westmoreland County."We are in the process of reviewing the charges that have been brought at this time, and any comment would be premature," said Vazquez's attorney, Michael Comber, as he was leaving the jail Tuesday.Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said he spoke with the team about the arrest of Vazquez. He declined to discuss specific details, citing the ongoing criminal investigation."We talked about a lot of different emotions probably were stirred up today in a lot of different places, and how do we connect and support our way through those emotions, how do we continue to find ways to improve and hold ourselves to a high standard on and off the field, and what can we do from an organizational standpoint to help with any questions, any thoughts," Hurdle said."These allegations are very, very serious. The term that was used earlier is heinous," Pirates pitcher Chris Archer said. "Right now, as far as we know, they're just allegations. There's not a whole lot we can say, but I do have a 14-year-old sister, so it's something that hits home."In the U.S., you're innocent until proven guilty -- so until due process is completely played out, we're hoping that this stuff's not true."Chris Archer reacts to teammate's arrest: Watch the interview below.Below is the full statement from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on the arrest of Felipe Vazquez.FDLE agents, with assistance from the Pennsylvania State Police, today arrested Felipe Vazquez, 28, of Saint Cloud, FL, for one count of computer pornography - solicitation of a child and one count of providing obscene material to minors. Vazquez, a baseball player with the Pittsburgh Pirates, was taken into custody in Pittsburgh this morning on a felony warrant out of Lee County, Florida.FDLE’s investigation began in August of this year after agents obtained information that Vazquez had a reported sexual relationship with a 13-year old female victim who resides in Lee County. 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.FDLE agents and Pennsylvania State Police served a search warrant today at Vazquez’s apartment in Pittsburgh. Several electronic devices were seized and will be examined as part of this investigation. Additional charges are dependent upon completion of forensic exams.Vazquez was taken to the Allegheny County Jail, where he will face extradition to Lee County, Florida.The case will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, 20th Judicial Circuit.Pittsburgh Pirates President Frank Coonelly released the following statement:"Today we were made aware of an active law enforcement investigation involving Felipe Vazquez 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. The commissioner's office will immediately place Felipe Vazquez on administrative leave (and, as a result, restricted list) pursuant to the joint MLB/MLBPA policy. We need to be respectful to all involved and the ongoing legal proceeding. As a result, the organization, our staff and players cannot comment any further at this time."