Pittsburgh Pirates Pitcher Arrested By Florida Police

FORT MYERS, FL — Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star pitcher Felipe Vazquez was arrested Tuesday by Florida police in connection with an alleged two-year relationship with an underage Florida teenager that began when the girl was 13.

Vazquez, who lives in Saint Cloud, Florida not far from Orlando, was charged with one count of computer pornography — solicitation of a child, and one count of providing obscene material to minors, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which arrested Vazquez with assistance from the Pennsylvania State Police.

In a statement, Pirates President Frank Coonelly said the team was aware of the arrest. He said the baseball commissioner's office would place Vazquez on administrative leave and the restricted list.

"We take this matter, and these charges in particular, extremely seriously," he said. "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."

The 28-year-old pitcher, whose nickname is "Nightmare" was wanted on a felony warrant issued in Lee County, Florida where the teenager lives. He was born in San Felipe, Venezuela.

"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," said a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. "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."

The spokesperson said Vazquez allegedly sent the teenager text messages suggesting they would meet for sex after this year's baseball season is over.

"FDLE agents and Pennsylvania State Police served a search warrant today at Vazquez’s apartment in Pittsburgh," the spokesperson explained. "Several electronic devices were seized and will be examined as part of this investigation."

Additional charges may be filed depending on forensic exams, according to the spokesperson.

Vazquez was taken to the Allegheny County Jail in Pennsylvania where he will face extradition to Lee County.

The case will be prosecuted by the Lee County State Attorney's Office in Fort Myers.