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Pirates' Vazquez denied bond in sex assault case

PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez has been ordered held without bond following his arrest on multiple felony charges, including sexual assault of a minor.

Vazquez was taken into custody last week by Pennsylvania State Police on an arrest warrant from Florida stemming from illicit electronic communication with an underage girl. State police say he told investigators he attempted to have sex with the girl during a meeting at her house in 2017.

Vazquez was charged with statutory sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor and corruption of minors, all felonies, and a misdemeanor count of indecent assault of a person under 16 years old.

Westmoreland County District Judge Charles Moore denied bond for the 28-year-old Vazquez during a brief hearing Wednesday.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement says it began investigating Vazquez in August after learning of an alleged sexual relationship between Vazquez and a teenage girl living in Florida.