Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was reportedly arrested in the Dominican Republic on Monday after an altercation in which guns were pulled.
The 23-year-old is barred from leaving his homeland ahead of his trial into an alleged sexual relationship with a then-14-year-old girl.
Now, according to ESPN, Franco and a woman are being held after the incident, which took place in a parking lot in San Juan de la Maguana.
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.
Rays shortstop Wander Franco was reportedly arrested in the Dominican Republic on Monday
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.
