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Rays SS Wander Franco faces weapons charges for altercation with DR
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Rays SS Wander Franco faces weapons charges for altercation with DR

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco will face charges of illegal use and possession of a firearm following an altercation Sunday in the Dominican Republic, according to ESPN on Tuesday.

Authorities reportedly detained Franco and an unnamed woman for questioning Monday after an incident Sunday in an apartment complex parking lot “during which firearms were drawn,” according to ESPN, which also reported that the altercation with two men concerned Franco’s relationship with a woman who lived in the apartment complex.

No one was injured in the incident and none of those involved chose to press charges.

When police searched Franco’s Mercedes-Benz at the time of the altercation, they found a Glock with its magazine and 15 rounds of ammunition but no registration papers. The gun was registered to a man Franco said was his uncle.

Weapons-related charges could carry a maximum sentence of 3 to 5 years and a fine.

Franco was reportedly detained for questioning but is expected to be released pending trial, although no bail conditions or court dates have been announced.

Franco, 23, is already on indefinite administrative leave from Major League Baseball while awaiting trial on charges of sexual abuse of a minor.

Under the terms of his bail agreement, Franco is not allowed to leave the Dominican Republic but is free to travel within the country while awaiting his Dec. 12 trial.

Franco was in the midst of an All-Star season when he was placed on administrative leave in August 2023. He has not played since.

According to reports, Franco faces up to 20 years in prison for sexual abuse, sexual exploitation of a minor and human trafficking.

Franco signed an 11-year, $182 million contract extension with the Rays in November 2021, just 70 games into his major league career. He hit .282 with 30 home runs, 130 RBIs and 40 stolen bases in 265 games from 2021-2023.