Rays SS Wander Franco faces weapons charges over DR fight

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco will face charges of unlawful use and possession of a firearm following an altercation in the Dominican Republic on Sunday, ESPN reported Tuesday.

Authorities reportedly held Franco and an unnamed woman for questioning on Monday after an incident in which “guns were drawn” in an apartment complex parking lot on Sunday, according to ESPN. woman living in the apartment.

No one was injured in the incident and none of those involved chose to press charges.

When police searched Franco’s Mercedes-Benz during the fight, they found a Glock with a magazine and 15 bullets, but no registration document. The gun was registered to a man Franco said was his uncle.

Weapons charges can result in a maximum of 3-5 years in prison and a fine.

Franco was reportedly being held for questioning but was expected to be released while awaiting trial, but bail terms or court dates were not announced.

Franco, 23, is on indefinite administrative leave from Major League Baseball as he awaits trial on charges involving sexual abuse of a minor.

According to the bail agreement, Franco is not allowed to leave the Dominican Republic but is free to travel within the country while awaiting a hearing on December 12.

Franco was in the middle of the All-Star season when he was placed on administrative leave in August 2023. He hasn’t played since.

According to reports, Franco faces up to 20 years in prison on charges of sexual exploitation, sexual exploitation of minors and human trafficking.

Franco signed an 11-year, $182 million contract extension with the Rays in November 2021; This was just 70 games into his major league career. He batted .282 with 30 homers, 130 RBIs and 40 stolen bases in 265 games from 2021-23.