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Pirates' Vazquez told police he attempted sex with underage girl

Joe Sargent / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Warning: This story includes sensitive content

Pittsburgh Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez admitted to Pennsylvania state police that he attempted to have sex with a 13-year-old girl, according to a criminal complaint released by authorities Wednesday, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Vazquez was arrested Tuesday morning. He was charged with pornography and soliciting a child, statutory sexual assault, and other charges. A judge denied Vazquez bail.

The victim is now 15 years old, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Pennsylvania police said Vazquez and the girl met while he was in the bullpen at PNC Park in 2017 when the girl was 13. Authorities added that Vasquez communicated with her afterward via text and social media.

The pitcher also told police that he exchanged nude photos and videos with her.

The girl told authorities that Vazquez drove to her home in Scottdale in August 2017, according to the complaint obtained by Lacretia Wimbley and Shelly Bradbury of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The girl, who now lives in Florida, told police that she entered Vasquez's car on the passenger side. She said the then-26-year-old subsequently removed her pants and put part of his penis in her vagina.

Vazquez told police Tuesday that he and the girl had "sex but not really" because he couldn't fully insert his penis.

According to the complaint, Vazquez texted the girl as recently as July 2019, indicating that he wanted to continue having sexual contact with her. The complaint also stated that Vazquez told police Tuesday that he initially refused to have contact with the girl because she appeared to be 16 or younger.

Police said the girl's mother discovered communication between the two after the family moved to Florida. She called the police, which prompted the investigation in early August.

Police also said there's no indication of additional victims.

Vazquez's arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

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