Authorities in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic have arrested Wander Franco, in keeping with a number of reviews out of the D.R. (Spanish-language hyperlink by way of Listín Diario and ESPN Dominican Republic). He’s anticipated to go in entrance of a decide for arraignment proceedings inside the subsequent 48 hours.
Officers have investigated two formal allegations that Franco has had inappropriate relationships with minors. (A 3rd minor has made comparable claims however didn’t file an official grievance.) In accordance with Listín Diario, the mom of one of many alleged victims was additionally detained this afternoon.
The allegations towards Franco went viral on social media on Aug. 13. The Rays positioned him on the restricted checklist the next day. Every week later, he was transferred to administrative depart — a typical follow for gamers beneath investigation for doable violations of the MLB/MLBPA Home Violence, Sexual Assault and Baby Abuse coverage. Franco was reinstated onto the Rays’ 40-man roster at the start of the offseason in a procedural transaction.
Whereas MLB shortly opened its personal investigation into the social media allegations, the league is awaiting decision of the authorized course of within the Dominican Republic earlier than appearing. Authorities summoned Franco for questioning final Wednesday. The 22-year-old didn’t report on the time. His earlier attorneys later knowledgeable prosecutors that Franco had dismissed them. He did seem for questioning alongside his new authorized illustration this morning. Following that assembly with investigators, he was detained.
