SAN JUAN DE LA MAGUANA, Dominican Republic — Wander Franco, the shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays, was granted supervised release on Wednesday while he faces a sexual abuse trial. His release comes after he was arrested and charged for unlawfully carrying a firearm in his vehicle during a dispute in a parking lot in the Dominican Republic.
A Dominican judge, Viamerca Ruiz, mandated that Franco report to court on a monthly basis while authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the firearm he was found with, which was registered to his uncle.
The 23-year-old Franco was apprehended on Sunday following an argument occurring in a parking area of an apartment complex located in San Juan de la Maguana. Reports indicated that two others—a man and a woman—were also taken into custody during this incident, with police recovering two firearms from the scene.
Antonio Garcia Lorenzo, one of Franco’s legal representatives, commented on the situation, stating, “The gun has a license. There isn’t anything illegal about it. We are simply seeking his release. The weapon has been investigated, and it does not belong to him; it has a rightful owner.” He emphasized that Franco was only in San Juan de la Maguana to visit.
If found guilty of illegal firearm possession, Franco could face a prison sentence ranging from three to five years.
Regarding the sexual abuse case, which is set for trial on December 12 in Puerto Plata, Franco faces serious charges that include sexual and commercial exploitation of a minor, as well as human trafficking related to a 14-year-old girl.
Franco had previously been conditionally released on January 5, only days after his arrest concerning the abuse allegations.
He has refrained from giving media interviews but has expressed that he believes “everything is in God’s hands” in relation to the sexual abuse case.
Franco’s major league career faced disruption in August 2023, having entered into a substantial 11-year, $182 million contract in November 2021. Following the initiation of administrative leave, Tampa Bay placed Franco on the restricted list as of July 10, ceasing his pay during this period.
