In this Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019 photo, Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez takes a break during a spring baseball workout at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla. Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star closer Felipe Vázquez was arrested Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019 on multiple felony charges, including soliciting a child, statutory sexual assault and pornography and was placed on administrative leave by Major League Baseball.

There is an alarming number of criminal cases involving high-profile individuals and sex crime allegations popping up in the news these days.

More cutting and creepy is the fact these cases often center on sexual abuse and sexual assault allegations against athletes, politicians, police officers and priests. Essentially people with power and clout.

This past week alone saw the arrest of Pirates pitcher Felipe Vazquez, Pennsylvania politician Michael Folmer (R-63), and a Monongahela police officer. Vazquez now faces deportation if convicted, Folmer resigned, and the police officer was fired.

The week also saw the re-emergence of rumors and allegations swirling around Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Last week it was accusations against former Steeler-turned New England Patriot-turned unemployed Antonio Brown. And last month it was accusations against a former Philadelphia priest — just one more in the growing list of clergy and religious leaders accused.

Add to this disturbing mix of crude characters the likes of Harvey Weinstein, the late Jeff Epstein and R. Kelly.

The list goes on, and on, and on ... and on.It's enough to make your head spin and your heart pound.Not just because many of the alleged crimes involve younger victims — as if that isn't reason enough to be angry.These allegations should upset all of us because they involve individuals who by sheer virtue of their positions in life should inspire our confidence. They are people in positions of power and celebrity who abused the trust and confidence of a public that looked up to them — in some instances idolized them.It is disheartening to us that this is the sad state of affairs we face as a society.It is, however, encouraging to see swift action on the part of authorities to investigate these crimes, bringing forth justice for victims and their families.We encourage anyone who is a victim or witness to any type of abuse to come forward.Those responsible for such heinous acts will never be punished if the abuse continues in silence.— ALH

FILE - In this Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, file photo, New England Patriots wide receiver Antonio Brown (17) on the sidelines,during the first half at an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Patriots released Brown on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019.