Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was arrested Monday in San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic, after an altercation in the parking lot of an apartment complex during which weapons were fired. unsheathed.
Police sources confirm that Franco and an unnamed woman are being held for questioning following the incident.
Franco, who has been on administrative leave since August 22, 2023, is scheduled to stand trial in the Dominican Republic on December 12 in a separate case involving charges of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation of a minor and human trafficking, which could result in a prison sentence of up to 20 years.
Franco’s name was placed on Major League Baseball’s restricted list in July, ESPN reports, after he was accused of having a sexual relationship with a girl then 14 years old.
He is also under investigation by Major League Baseball under its domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy until the matter is resolved.
The court summoned Franco and the girl’s mother for the trial after an investigation opened in 2022. The case will be heard by a panel of three or five judges.
Franco cannot leave the Dominican Republic under his bail agreement while awaiting trial, but he is free to travel within the country, police confirmed.
Police also said Franco would be free to carry a weapon if he had a permit to carry one and said weapon was registered. Police could not confirm Monday whether Franco had met any of those requirements.
The Rays agreed to an 11-year contract extension worth US$182 million in 2021, after only 70 games played in Major League Baseball.
