Real Salt Lake Player Ricardo Velazco Charged With Sexually Assaulting Teen

SALT LAKE CITY, UT — Real Salt Lake forward Ricardo Velazco has been arrested on a felony charge of having unlawful sex with a 15-year-old girl in Draper earlier this year.

Velazco, who has been suspended by Major League Soccer, was 23 years old at the time of the alleged assault in May and is charged with a third-degree felony. In Utah, girls under 16 can't lawfully consent to sex with an adult. Velazco's attorney, Greg Skordas, said his client intends to plead not guilty.

Velazco had been in contact with prosecutors for several days and turned himself into police on Friday before posting $15,000 bail, Skordas said. Skordas pointed out that Velazco is not accused of any violence in the incident. (For more information on Velazco's case and other Salt Lake City stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

"If there is a lack of consent, age doesn't matter," Skordas said. "That's rape. But if the 'lack of consent' is based solely on age, it's a much lesser crime."

Major League Soccer did not respond to questions about the length of the suspension or whether Velazco would continue to be paid during the suspension.

"MLS and Real Salt Lake will cooperate fully with the authorities and the League will also conduct its own investigation as more information becomes available," the league said in a statement.

Skordas said the suspension will run until the case is adjudicated, though the league may make the suspension permanent if he's found guilty.

Real Salt Lake released a statement saying it is cooperating with the league and authorities and will monitor what happens with the case.

"Real Salt Lake will await the outcome of judicial proceedings prior to taking additional action," the team said.

Skordas said an evidentiary hearing could be scheduled as soon as October.

Photo credit: Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office via AP