Report: Wander Franco arrested after gun-related incident

Hike Franco has been arrested in the Dominican Republic, reports ESPN’s Juan Reciociting multiple police sources in writing that Franco’s arrest came after guns were drawn during an altercation in the parking lot of an apartment complex in San Juan de la Maguana. According to the report, he and an unnamed woman are being held for questioning.

Franco, 23, does is already being tried in his native Dominican Republic after being formally accused of sexual abuse and exploitation of a minor, and of human trafficking. That set of charges stems from allegations that Franco had a sexual relationship with a then 14-year-old girl in 2022, when Franco was 21 years old. If convicted, Franco faces up to 20 years in prison.

Although Franco’s bail agreement prevents him from leaving the country, he is still allowed to travel within the Dominican Republic. Recio reports that Franco would still be legally allowed to carry a firearm if he had the proper permit and the weapon was registered. Law enforcement officials have not yet said whether Franco had the proper license and registration for the firearm.

It is not yet clear whether this latest incident will result in additional charges against Franco, who is on indefinite administrative leave from Major League Baseball while the legal proceedings play out. He has been on the restricted list since July, where he will not collect his salary and will not count against Tampa Bay’s 40-man roster.