Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has been arrested in the Dominican Republic following involvement in an armed altercation, according to information confirmed by local authorities. Reports indicate that Franco was taken into custody on Sunday, with two firearms seized during the incident, which occurred in a parking lot located in San Juan de la Maguana, approximately 116 miles west of Santo Domingo. Alongside Franco, another male and female were also detained by police during the incident.
While the authorities did not disclose any details regarding potential injuries from the altercation, it is believed that one of the firearms may belong to Franco himself. The 23-year-old athlete is already set to stand trial on December 12 in Puerto Plata, where he faces serious charges including sexual abuse, sexual exploitation of a minor, and human trafficking. If convicted, he could face a lengthy prison sentence of up to 20 years.
As reported by ESPN's Juan Recio, Franco is currently under a bail agreement that prevents him from leaving the Dominican Republic while awaiting trial, although police have confirmed that he is free to travel within the country. Franco has not played in Major League Baseball since August 12, 2023, amidst allegations regarding an inappropriate relationship with a minor. Following an extended period on administrative leave, the Rays officially placed him on the restricted list on July 10, which halted both his pay and accrued service time. It is worth noting that Franco may still face suspension from MLB due to the league's policies surrounding domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. He has refrained from commenting publicly on the allegations, stating, 'Everything is in God's hands.' Franco's time with the Rays began with an 11-year, $182 million contract signed in November 2021, shortly after he had played just 70 games in the major leagues.
