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The Tampa Bay Rays Wander Franco, which is already tried for allegations of sexual abuse of a minor, was struck by the illegal possession of an accusation of handgun on Sunday, prosecutors in the Dominican Republic said.
The accusation came from an arrest on November 10 after Franco was altering in a parking lot in San Juan de la Maguana, said the Dominican prosecutor’s office. No one was injured in the incident, but the officials said that a semi-automatic Glock 19 had been found in Franco’s vehicle.
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Tampa Bay Rays Wander Franco and his lawyer and his lawyer, Teodosio Jaquez, left the court during a break in his trial to sexually abuse a minor, in Puerto Plata, in the Dominican Republic, Monday, June 2, 2025. (AP photo / Ricardo Hernandez)
Prosecutors said the handgun was recorded under Franco’s uncle. Franco’s lawyer Antonio Garcia Lorenzo said that because the weapon was authorized, “there is nothing illegal on this subject”.
Officials asked Franco to stand at the charge of firearms.
Franco, 24, is in the midst of a trial for allegations of sexual abuse. The crime would have involved a girl who was 14 at the time. Franco has been accused of sexual abuse of a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor and the trafficking in human beings.
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Tampa Bay Rays Wander Franco’s judgment sits in court during his trial to sexually abuse a minor, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Monday, June 2, 2025. (AP photo / Ricardo Hernandez)
He would have kidnapped the girl for sexual purposes and “sent big sums of money to his mother,” said prosecutors. He risks up to 30 years in prison if he is found guilty.
One of Franco’s lawyers, Teodosio Jáquez, said that he would ask the court to exempt his client for all accusations.
“He did not commit the acts he is accused of,” he told the Associated Press.
Tampa Bay Rays Wander Franco’s star faces an investigation into alleged inappropriate relations with minors. (AP photo / Chris O’Meara, file)
The Rays player was in the middle of his third season of major leagues when his career was interrupted in August 2023. He signed a $ 182 million contract of 11 years in November 2021. He was placed on the limited MLB list after being initially placed on administrative leave.
