SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who’s at present on trial on expenses together with sexual abuse of a minor, was charged Sunday with unlawful possession of a handgun, prosecutors mentioned.
Franco was arrested Nov. 10 in San Juan de la Maguana after an altercation in a parking zone. Nobody was injured through the combat, and the handgun, a semiautomatic Glock 19, was present in Franco’s car, in accordance with an announcement from the Dominican Public Prosecutor’s Workplace.
The handgun was registered within the title of Franco’s uncle, prosecutors mentioned within the assertion. After the arrest, Antonio Garcia Lorenzo, considered one of Franco’s attorneys, mentioned that as a result of the gun was licensed, “there’s nothing unlawful about it.”
Prosecutors requested that Franco stand trial on the gun cost.
When reached by ESPN on Sunday evening, the Rays mentioned they’d no touch upon the matter.
The 24-year-old Franco’s trial within the sexual abuse case — involving a lady who was 14 years outdated on the time of his alleged crimes — is ongoing. The fees in that case embrace sexual abuse of a minor, sexual and business exploitation towards a minor, and human trafficking.
In line with prosecutors, Franco kidnapped the lady for sexual functions and “despatched giant sums of cash to her mom.”
Franco, who’s on supervised launch, faces as much as 30 years in jail if convicted.
Franco was taking part in his third main league season when his profession was halted in August 2023 due to the allegations. He agreed to an 11-year, $182 million contract in November 2021. He’s at present on Main League Baseball’s restricted listing.
ESPN’s Juan Arturo Recio contributed to this report.