LEE COUNTY, Fla. – 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.
Vazquez is reported to have met the victim at PNC Park and took photos with her at the stadium.
TMZ reported: Vazquez drove to the alleged victim’s house in Pennsylvania on at least one occasion … where she claims Vazquez pulled down her pants while they were in his car and attempted to have sex with her.
According to the documents, Vazquez sent 2 photos and 1 video to the girl — none of which showed the MLB star’s face.
However, officials say the images depicted numerous “unique and
distinguishable” tattoos on his body … which they were able to match to Vazquez through public images on the Internet.
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.
