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1:06 PM PT — Vazquez just appeared before a Pennsylvania judge … and was denied bail.
The judge says more charges are expected to come down.
1:04 PM PT — According to an incident report from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, obtained by CBS in Pittsburgh, Vazquez met the alleged victim at PNC Park and took pictures with her outside of the bullpen.
According to the report, the alleged victim contacted Vazquez on social media and that’s how the two began talking.
The report also states 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.
11:27 AM PT — TMZ Sports has obtained the arrest warrant affidavit which spells out how investigators were able to identify and catch Vazquez … and it came down to his distinct tattoos.
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.
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Officials also say the alleged victim’s mother was the one who essentially busted Vasquez — after she discovered the concerning images and video on her daughter’s phone.
The mother texted Vazquez to inform him that her daughter is a minor — and that’s when the case made its way over to law enforcement.
11:26 AM PT — Now, Vazquez is facing two 3rd-degree felony charges (and possibly more) — and each count carries a possible 5-year maximum prison sentence.
11:12 AM PT — Pittsburgh Pirates president Frank Coonelly says Tuesday the team was “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 CO will immedatetely 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.”
Pittsburgh Pirates all-star pitcher Felipe Vazquez was arrested this morning in Pennsylvania on some truly disturbing charges including solicitation of a 13-year-old girl.
The 28-year-old closer — considered one of the best pitchers in baseball — was taken into custody in Pittsburgh stemming from an arrest warrant out of Florida.
Officials say they were investigating allegations Vasquez had a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old girl in Lee County, Florida.
According to officials, the girl, now 15 years old, WAS continuing to have a relationship with Vasquez and had received a video in July from the MLB star performing a “sex act.”
Officials say Vasquez also sent the girl text messages suggesting they would meet for sex after the MLB season ended.
Several electronic devices were seized from Vasquez’s apartment in Pittsburgh during the investigation.
Officials say Vasquez was arrested on 1 count of “computer pornography – solicitation of a child” and 1 count of “providing obscene material to minors.”
Officials say more charges could follow depending on what they find in the continuing investigation.
Vasquez is a 2-time All-Star who was having a great season for the Pirates in 2019. He currently has a 1.65 E.R.A., 28 saves and 90 strikeouts. He signed a 4-year, $22.5 million contract in 2018.
Originally Published — 9:34 AM PT