Wander Franco arrested in the Dominican Republic after a gun-related incident

TAMPA, Fla. – Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who faced a trial in December on charges of having a relationship with a minor, was arrested in the Dominican Republic on Monday following a gun-related incident.

Franco was involved in an altercation in San Juan de la Maguana on Sunday in which guns were drawn in the parking lot of an apartment complex. He was held for questioning along with another man and a woman. Police said it started as “a heated dispute of a passionate nature,” according to the Dominican newspaper Listin Diario.

Franco’s lawyer in the Dominican Republic told the Tampa Bay Times he hopes his client will be quickly exonerated in the investigation.

“So it is,” said Teodosio Jáquez Encarnación, “and so it will be.”

Neither the Rays nor Major League Baseball had comment on the latest development on Monday.

Videos posted to social media of the alleged incident showed a chaotic scene involving multiple people; Police said they received a 911 call about the incident and arrived amid verbal and physical confrontations.

Juan Recio, a Dominican lawyer and the ESPN writer who first reported the story, told the Times that no charges have yet been filed against Franco, as under Dominican law police have 48 hours after an arrest to do so. doing.

“They are just holding him to determine if the seized gun is his and if it is illegal,” Recio said.

It was unclear Monday whether Franco had a permit to carry a gun or whether the weapon was registered locally.

Hector Gomez, another prominent Dominican journalist, called the situation “unfortunate” for Franco, who made the 2023 American League All-Star team and was considered one of the top rising young players in the game.

“This is a situation that unfortunately contributes to several regrettable incidents involving Wander Franco,” Gomez said. “There aren’t many details, but it is said that Wander was with a woman who is in a relationship with another man, although these are just rumors. What is confirmed, however, is his detention. It is very unfortunate because Wander has other ongoing legal issues with the Dominican legal system.”

Franco, 23, is scheduled for trial on December 12 on charges of human trafficking, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of a minor related to a relationship with a then 14-year-old girl that began in December 2022 (when Franco was 21). ). He could face a maximum of 20 years in prison.

Franco has not played for the Rays since allegations about the relationship first surfaced in August 2023. As of mid-July of this year, he has been on MLB’s restricted list and has not received the remainder of his $2 million salary received. He will make $8 million in 2025, part of the $172 million remaining on the 11-year, $182 million contract he signed after his debut season in 2021.

Franco is also being investigated by MLB under its domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policies and could face disciplinary action pending resolution of the legal issues.

San Juan de la Maguana, the site of the incident, is about a two-hour drive west of Franco’s home in Bani, near the capital Santo Domingo. He is allowed to travel within the country while awaiting trial.