Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco on Wednesday was assigned month-to-month court-mandated check-ins whereas he awaits a courtroom date to face expenses of unlawful use and possession of a firearm associated to his arrest on Sunday after an armed altercation within the Dominican Republic countryside.
Franco, 23, was arrested in San Juan de la Maguana, 116 miles west of Santo Domingo, after what police mentioned was an altercation within the parking zone of an residence advanced through which weapons had been drawn. Franco was held for questioning by police and granted provisional launch.
He was introduced by army police to courtroom on Wednesday for his arraignment sporting a light-weight gray hoodie overlaying his head and most of his face and saved his head bowed as he was led into the courtroom. He didn’t converse to reporters.
Prosecutors mentioned a Glock with its journal and 15 rounds of ammunition registered to Franco’s uncle was present in Franco’s black Mercedes-Benz on the time of the altercation.
The confrontation occurred Sunday between Franco, one other man and the daddy of that man over Franco’s relationship with a lady prosecutors mentioned lived within the residence advanced.
There have been no accidents, and the concerned events agreed they won’t press expenses.
The use and possession of unlawful firearms carries a most sentence of three to 5 years plus a effective. As a part of Franco’s supervised launch he will probably be accountable for checking in on the San Juan de la Maguana courtroom on the thirtieth of every month. No courtroom date has but been assigned to listen to the weapons cost.
Franco, who was positioned on indefinite administrative go away from Main League Baseball on Aug. 22, 2023, is resulting from stand trial within the Dominican Republic on Dec. 12 in a separate case involving expenses of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation towards a minor and human trafficking that would lead to a sentence of as much as 20 years.
Franco was positioned on MLB’s restricted listing in July, sources had informed ESPN, after prosecutors within the Dominican Republic accused him of getting a sexual relationship with a then-14-year-old woman.
He’s additionally beneath an MLB investigation beneath its home violence, sexual assault and baby abuse coverage till the case is resolved.
The courtroom summoned Franco and the mom of the woman for the trial after an investigation that opened in 2022. The case will probably be heard by a panel of three or 5 judges.
The Rays gave Franco an 11-year, $182 million extension in 2021, simply 70 video games into his main league profession.
He made the All-Star crew for the primary time in 2023.
Data from The Related Press was used on this report.