Prosecutors in the Dominican Republic have filed a formal charge of illegal possession of a firearm against Rays shortstop Wander Franco and requested a trial, several publications reported Sunday.
The charge stems from an altercation Franco had in November in San Juan de la Maguana with a man in the parking lot of an apartment building. Police at the time said the incident stemmed from a fight over a woman’s attention, describing it as “a heated dispute of a passionate nature.”
In a news release Sunday, authorities wrote: “The prosecution body (…) requests through the instance that the opening of a trial be issued against the accused because there are sufficient elements of relevant and pertinent evidence that demonstrate that the defendant has compromised his criminal responsibility.
According to Dominican attorney and ESPN.com writer Juan Arturo Recio, punishments range from three to five years in prison for illegal possession of a firearm, from six months to two years for ammunition and any other firearm-related accessory, confiscation of the weapon and fines.
The charge is not related to the trial currently taking place in Puerto Plata in which Franco faces charges of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation of a minor and human trafficking stemming from a relationship with a then-14-year-old girl that started in December 2022, when Franco was 21.
News of the filing of the gun charge in the San Juan de la Maguana Court of Investigation was reported by Dominican newspapers Listin Diario and Diario Libre, along with other outlets.
A Glock firearm with its magazine and 15 rounds of ammunition was found in the Mercedes-Benz vehicle in which Franco was traveling, both newspapers reported.
Franco did not have documentation for the gun, which was registered to Branly Fernando Lugo Rodríguez. Franco identified the man as his uncle.
According to Diario Libre, Teodosio Jáquez, Franco’s lawyer in the Dominican Republic, wrote in a news release that the gun was found in the trunk of the car, Franco was unaware it was there, and he never touched it.
As soon as Rodriguez became aware of the situation, Jáquez said, per deultimominuto.net, he went voluntarily to the San Juan de la Maguana Prosecutor’s Office. There, he produced documents showing his license to carry and possess a firearm, and the current renewal.
Franco’s trial on the sexual abuse charges is scheduled to resume Monday morning, with the prosecution introducing more witnesses. That trial is expected to last three-four months.
Franco on Sunday posted a photo on social media of him playing for the Rays along with a Bible verse, Psalm 97:10, in Spanish. Translated to English, it reads:” Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.”
• • •
Sign up for our Sports Today newsletter to get daily updates on the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida.
Every weekday, tune into our Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast to hear reporter Rick Stroud break down the biggest stories in Tampa Bay sports.
Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene
Subscribe to our free Sports Today newsletter
We’ll send you news and analysis on the Bucs, Lightning, Rays and Florida’s college football teams every day.
You’re all signed up!
Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.
Never miss out on the latest with your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. Follow our coverage on X and Facebook.