Pittsburgh Pirates Pitcher Felipe Vázquez Facing 21 New Felony Charges
GREENSBURG, Pa. (KDKA) - Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Felipe Vázquez is facing 21 new child sex-related charges on top of previous charges for sexually assaulting an underage girl in Westmoreland County.
Vázquez had his preliminary hearing today and he was hit with more than 20 new felony charges, including 10 counts of child pornography charges and 10 counts of unlawful contact.
According to the criminal complaint, when investigators served a search warrant and seized Vázquez's electronic devices from his home in Pittsburgh, they allegedly found multiple photographs and videos of an underage female in "various stages of nudity."
He was arraigned at the end of September and was to remain in jail after he was accused of allegedly having a sexual encounter with a teenage girl 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.
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Vázquez walked out in shackles, but with a smile on his face.
"He has a very good attitude. It's a very serious matter and I think he takes it that way. When I talk to him he takes it that way," said attorney William McCabe.
"I'm very surprised at how well he's handling things," said attorney Robert Wheelock. "He's a real pro. He understands it's a process and he understands that we have his best interest."
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.
An incident report from the Lee County Sheriff's Office said Vázquez and the victim met at PNC Park, where they took pictures outside the bullpen.
The report says the victim found Vázquez on social media and the two began talking over the last three years.
The new charges are listed as third degree felonies, which carry a maximum of seven years in prison if each is convicted.