Former Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez found guilty of statutory sexual assault

Former Pittsburgh Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez was found guilty of statutory sexual assault, sexual abuse of children and child pornography, among other charges, according to ESPN.

A jury in Pennsylvania found Vazquez guilty on 15 counts, which also included corruption of minors, ESPN adds. He was found not guilty on 10 counts of unlawful contact or communication with a minor.

"The jury believed he used his position as a professional athlete to prey upon a young girl," Assistant District Attorney Jim Lazar said, according to TribLive.com.

The victim in the case was 13 at the time, while Vazquez was 26. He was arrested in 2019 and, according to a criminal complaint, told police officers he had "sex but not really" with the girl in 2017.

He also admitted to communicating with her through text messages and social media and sending her nude photos and videos of himself committing sexual acts.

Vazquez also faces additional charges in Missouri and Florida in connection with his behavior with the victim.