Wander Franco has been arrested within the Dominican Republic, reports ESPN’s Juan Recio, who cites a number of police sources in writing that Franco’s arrest got here after weapons had been drawn throughout an altercation within the parking zone of an condo complicated in San Juan de la Maguana. He and an unnamed lady are being held for questioning, per the report.
Franco, 23, is already facing trial in his native Dominican Republic after being formally charged with sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of a minor, in addition to human trafficking. That set of expenses stems from accusations that Franco was in a sexual relationship with a then-14-year-old woman in 2022, when Franco was 21-years-old. If convicted, Franco faces a possible sentence of as much as 20 years in jail.
Whereas Franco’s bail settlement prevents him from leaving the nation, he’s nonetheless free to journey inside the Dominican Republic. Recio experiences that Franco would nonetheless be legally permitted to hold a firearm if he had the suitable license and the weapon was registered. Legislation enforcement officers haven’t but mentioned whether or not Franco had the suitable licensing and registration for the firearm.
It’s not but clear whether or not this newest incident will end in any further expenses being introduced forth in opposition to Franco, who’s on indefinite administrative go away from Main League Baseball whereas the authorized proceedings unfold. He’s been on the restricted listing since July, the place he doesn’t acquire his wage and doesn’t depend in opposition to Tampa Bay’s 40-man roster.
