Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, whose career has been overshadowed by serious legal issues, has reportedly been officially charged with illegal possession of a handgun, as confirmed by ESPN.
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco prepares for his plate appearance.
This new legal hurdle stems from an incident in November in the Dominican Republic that escalated to a drawing of firearms and ultimately led to Franco’s arrest.
The incident unfolded in a parking lot in San Juan de la Maguana, involving an altercation where guns were brandished. Fortunately, no individuals sustained injuries. However, authorities discovered a handgun inside Franco’s vehicle that was legally registered to his uncle, not to the baseball star himself. This discovery led directly to his apprehension at the time.
This recent charge significantly complicates Franco’s already precarious legal standing. The 24-year-old is currently on trial for grave accusations related to the sexual abuse of a minor. His initial arrest occurred last July, following the widespread circulation of allegations in August 2023. ESPN reports that the specific charges against him include “sexual abuse of a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking.” Should he be convicted of these charges, Franco faces a potential prison sentence of up to 30 years.
Prosecutors allege that Franco engaged in a relationship with a 14-year-old girl and, disturbingly, offered payments to her mother to secure consent for the continuation of this relationship. Further details from the prosecution suggest that Franco paid the girl’s mother thousands of dollars and even provided her with a car.
The Tampa Bay Rays ceased playing Franco after August 12, 2023, the date when the initial allegations first surfaced. Since July of last year, he has remained on MLB’s restricted list, a status maintained throughout his ongoing trial. It is a stark contrast to his promising career trajectory; in 2021, Franco had signed a substantial 11-year, $182 million contract with the Rays, a deal now overshadowed by his severe legal challenges.