MLB Player Wander Franco Accused of Involvement with Underage Individual, Arrested in Dominican Republic
Tampa Bay Rays' shortstop, Wander Franco, faced arrest in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, for alleged involvement with a minor Authorities apprehended him following his voluntary appearance to address accusations made by the Public Ministry
Tampa Bay Rays' shortstop Wander Franco, a native of the Dominican Republic, was arrested on Monday in Puerto Plata after voluntarily presenting himself to officials to address allegations from the Public Ministry regarding a relationship with a minor. Franco appeared before the Comprehensive Care Unit for Victims of Gender, Domestic Violence, and Sexual Crimes to confront the accusations that surfaced in August 2023.
The baseball player, with his new lawyers Teodocio Jáquez and Francisco RodrÃguez, arrived at the prosecutors office around 11 a.m. and was detained following nearly three hours of questioning.
On August 12, 2023, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, Wander Franco #5 of the Tampa Bay Rays watches during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians.
(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Rays player Wander Franco did not show up for a summons in the Dominican Republic. Upon his arrival at the justice agency in Puerto Plata province, he was received by Judge Luisa Marmolejos, who declined to comment on the case when contacted by CNN. Franco's legal representatives also chose not to discuss the matter.
Franco only spoke about the case in August through an Instagram video, where he seemed to avoid the accusations and stated that he was working on self-improvement.
Following the arrest, the Dominican Public Ministry has 48 hours to provide evidence and make requests concerning Franco to the judge. These requests can include coercive measures, such as keeping him in custody. This means that a decision must be made within 48 hours regarding his continued detention.
On December 28th, Franco refused to comply with a subpoena to appear before the Specialized Prosecutors Office for Children and Adolescents. This came after he had fired his previous lawyers just hours before his scheduled appearance.
Franco has been suspended from the major leagues since August 14, 2023, when the allegations against him were reported in the Dominican media.
