By Canadian Press

Rays’ Wander Franco, who awaits sex abuse trial, arrested in parking lot altercation involving guns

Nov 11, 2024 | 9:24 AM

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was involved in an armed altercation in a parking lot in the Dominican Republic countryside and was arrested, police said Monday.

Meregirdo Espinosa, a Dominican police spokesman, told The Associated Press it happened in San Juan de la Maguana, a city that is 116 miles (187 kilometers) west of Dominican Republic capital Santo Domingo. Franco was arrested Sunday. Another man and a woman were also detained, police said.

Espinosa didn’t specify who, but said some men in the altercation were carrying firearms.

The 23-year-old Franco is yet to stand trial Dec. 12 in the northern province of Puerto Plata in a sexual abuse case involving a 14-year-old girl. He was also charged with sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking.

Franco was conditionally released Jan. 5, four days after his arrest on the abuse allegations.

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

Franco was in the midst of his third major league season when his career was halted in August 2023. He agreed to an 11-year, $182 million contract in November 2021.

Tampa Bay placed him on the restricted list on July 10, cutting off the pay he had been receiving while on administrative leave.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Martín Adames, The Associated Press