Pittsburgh Pirates Closer Felipe Vázquez Will Remain In Jail, Held Without Bail In Sexual Assault Case
MOUNT PLEASANT (KDKA) -- Pirates pitcher Felipe Vázquez was arraigned on charges of sexual assault of a minor.
He arrived in handcuffs Wednesday from the Allegheny County Jail to be arraigned in front of District Judge Charles Moore at the Westmoreland County Magistrate.
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Vázquez will remain in the Westmoreland County Jail and will be held without bail.
He will be held until his next hearing on Oct. 9.
When Vázquez arrived in front of the judge, he said, "Nice to meet you" but sat silently during his arraignment.
The defense did not pursue bond and both parties agreed to "no bond."
Vázquez's attorney said it would not be "appropriate" to comment when asked why the defense didn't challenge the no bond decision.
"Given the nature of the charges and everything pending at this time, any further comment would be inappropriate," attorney Michael Comer said. "But for today's purposes, we waived the bond issue."
When asked by reporters following the arraignment if he regretted anything, Vázquez replied, "Nope."
According to court paperwork, there was an alleged sexual encounter between a teenage girl and Vázquez two years ago when she was living in Scottdale.
State police have filed charges of statutory sexual assault, indecent assault and unlawful contact with a minor in connection with the alleged incident.
The pitcher is also facing charges in Florida.
Florida law enforcement officials say their investigation began after officials "obtained information that Vázquez had a reported sexual relationship with a 13-year-old female" in Florida. Authorities say the alleged victim, now 15, had gotten text messages from Vázquez suggesting they meet up after the baseball season for sex.
Court paperwork reports that the teen's mother discovered the messages sent to the victim that said, "I cant wait to see you during the off season."
An incident report from the Lee County Sheriff's Office said Vazquez and the victim met at PNC Park, where they took pictures outside the bullpen.
The report says the victim found Vazquez on social media and the two began talking over the last three years.