Wander Franco was charged with illegally carrying a gun in the altercation that led to his arrest

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Tour Franco He was accused of carrying an illegal weapon in his vehicle fight in the parking lot That led to his arrest in the Dominican Republic over the weekend, prosecutors said Tuesday.

In the statement made by the attorney general’s office in the Dominican Republic, it was stated that the police found a Glock pistol with a 15-round magazine inside the Mercedes Benz that Franco was driving when he was fighting over the attention of a woman.

Authorities said the gun was registered to Franco’s uncle.

Franco, 23, who is awaiting trial in a sexual abuse case involving a minor, was arrested Sunday following an argument in the parking lot of the San Juan de la Maguana apartment complex.

A man and a woman were also detained during the conflict. Police said two firearms were seized.

Prosecutors said no one was harmed in the dispute and both parties agreed not to press charges.

A conviction for unlawful possession of a firearm can carry a sentence of three to five years in prison.

Franco is scheduled to appear in court in the northern state of Puerto Plata on December 12 in a sexual abuse case involving a 14-year-old girl. He was also charged with sexual and commercial exploitation of minors and human trafficking.

Franco was conditionally released on January 5, four days after his arrest over harassment allegations.

Franco, who refused to speak to the media, said of the sexual abuse case: “Everything is in God’s hands.”

Franco was in his third major league season when his career was halted in August 2023. 11-year, $182 million contract In November 2021.

Tampa Bay placed him on the restricted list on July 10, withholding his salary while he was on administrative leave.

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