SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was charged with illegally carrying a gun in his car throughout the altercation in a parking zone that led to his arrest within the Dominican Republic over the weekend, prosecutors stated Tuesday.
The legal professional basic’s workplace within the Dominican Republic stated in an announcement that police discovered a Glock pistol with a 15-round journal contained in the Mercedes Benz that Franco was driving throughout what police referred to as an altercation over a girl’s consideration.
The gun was registered to Franco’s uncle, authorities stated.
Franco, 23, who awaits trial in a sexual abuse case involving a minor, was arrested Sunday after an argument broke out in a San Juan de la Maguana condo complicated parking zone.
One other man and a girl additionally have been detained within the confrontation. Two firearms have been seized, police stated.
Prosecutors stated nobody was harm within the dispute and each events agreed to not press expenses.
A conviction for illegally possessing a firearm may name for a three- to five-year jail sentence.
Franco is scheduled to go to trial on Dec. 12 within the northern province of Puerto Plata in a sexual abuse case involving a 14-year-old woman. He was additionally charged with sexual and industrial exploitation towards a minor and human trafficking.
Franco was conditionally launched on Jan. 5, 4 days after his arrest on the abuse allegations.
Franco, who has refused to talk to the media, has stated concerning the sexual abuse case: “Every little thing is in God’s palms.”
Franco was in his third main league season when his profession was halted in August 2023. He agreed to an 11-year, $182 million contract in November 2021.
Tampa Bay positioned him on the restricted record on July 10, reducing off the pay he had been receiving whereas on administrative go away.
___
AP MLB: 58i