Former(?) Tampa Bay Rays star shortstop Wander Franco was reportedly arrested again in the Dominican Republic, this time while out on bail awaiting trial on sexual abuse charges, the allegations for which originated all the way back in August of 2023.
The new report from Juan Recio, via Jeff Passan:
“Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was arrested Monday in San Juan de la Maguana, 100 miles west of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic after what two police sources said was an altercation Sunday in the parking lot of an apartment complex in which guns were drawn.
Police sources confirm that Franco and an unnamed woman are being held for questioning following the incident.”
Apparently Franco was not outright barred from carrying a gun while out on bail, so long as he had proper licensing and registration. So it’s unclear what exactly the charges are/will be, but I suppose I would say that anytime guns are drawn in connection with an altercation, all kinds of horrible things can happen regardless of some paperwork.
Franco’s original trial had been set for next month, so we’ll see what happens now. Regardless, I don’t anticipate seeing him back in Major League Baseball any time soon, if ever.