Wander Franco facing firearm charges after ‘gun-related altercation’ – as he awaits separate sexual abuse trial
Prosecutors in the Dominican Republic could be charging former Tampa Bay Rays star Wander Franco with illegal use and possession of a firearm after an arrest on Sunday.
Franco is alleged to have been in an altercation with a man and his father, who is a police officer, according to reports from Dominican news site Noticias SIN.
The report also says that National Police found a firearm in Franco’s black Mercedes-Benz. It was later identified as a Glock 19 that belongs to his uncle.
No injuries were reported at the scene of the altercation.
The 23-year-old Franco has already been barred from leaving his homeland ahead of his trial into an alleged sexual relationship with a then-14-year-old girl.
Prosecutors in the Dominican are seeking gun charges against ex-MLBer Wander Franco
Franco is due to stand trial next month in the separate case involving alleged sexual abuse, sexual exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking.
He faces up to 20 years behind bars.
According to ESPN, Franco’s bail agreement prevents him from leaving the Dominican Republic but he is free to travel within the country – and carry a gun, provided he has a license and the firearm is registered.
Back in September, after an investigation that lasted more than a year, judge Pascual Valenzuela of the northern province of Puerto Plata ruled that the case would move to trial.
Prosecutors filed multiple charges against Franco six months after a judge ordered that he be investigated in connection with alleged sexual and psychological abuse of the girl.
Franco attended the hearing and said afterwards that ‘everything is in God’s hands.’
Documents allege that Franco, through his mother Yudelka Aybar, transferred 1million pesos ($17,000) to the mother of the minor on January 5, 2023, to consent to the abuse.
The mother of the minor has been charged with money laundering and is under house arrest.
Franco (smiling) leaves court with his lawyer Teodosio Jaquez (right) in Puerto Plata in August
Prosecutors say that the minor’s mother went from being a bank employee to leading an ostentatious life and acquiring assets that she cannot justify using the funds she received from Franco.
During raids on the house of the minor’s mother, prosecutors say they found $68,500 and $35,000 that they allege was delivered by Franco.
The 23-year-old had played only 70 MLB games when, in 2021, Tampa Bay handed him an 11-year, $182million extension.
But he was placed on indefinite administrative leave back in August, as the league conducts its own investigation under its domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy.
