Shocking charge added against Rays star Wander Franco amid ongoing minor sexual exploitation case

Former Tampa Bay Rays player Wander Franco was recently charged in a separate case amidst the ongoing trial for sexual abuse and manipulation. Franco was charged on Sunday for illegal possession of a firearm in his native Dominican Republic.

The additional charge stemmed from a November 10, 2024 arrest that involved the former Tampa Bay star in San Juan de la Maguana, D.R. During the incident, Franco, along with an acquaintance, was detained following a scuffle with another unnamed party involved. It was said that guns were drawn in the incident — leading to the apprehension.

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The Glock 19 found in Franco's vehicle was registered to the shortstop's uncle, Antonio Garcia Lorenzo. Although the firearm was licensed, the prosecutors in the case petitioned that the former MLB All-Star stand trial.

Franco last played in the 2023 MLB season. He was initially placed on the restricted list on August 13 after being charged a month before of the aforementioned year after an alleged investigation with a minor. The Rays shortstop would then be reinstated in September and was able to finish the campaign before being barred from the league ahead of the 2024 season.

Rays star Wander Franco's trial finally commences

Tampa Bay Rays star shortstop Wander Franco finally stood trial after being charged with sexual abuse of a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking.

The trial was originally scheduled on December 12, 2024. However, several delays occurred and it wasn't until Monday, June 2, 2025, that it finally commenced.

The former baseball star was formally charged in July 2024 after allegations of a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl. Franco, then 21 years of age, was also charged for human trafficking as the mother of the girl reportedly had knowledge of the link between the two.

In September of the aforementioned year, Judge Pascual Valenzuela of the northern Dominican province of Puerto Plata decreed that the evidence against the Rays star was sufficient and the case should move to a trial.

If proven guilty, Franco could face up to 30 years in prison for the three charges reagrding sexual abuse that he's being tried for.

About the author

Daniel Santiago is a journalist who has been reporting on baseball at Sportskeeda since 2022. He was drawn towards the sport after the underlying statistics and the analysis surrounding it grabbed his attention.

Daniel particularly enjoys furnishing reports about historic events in baseball and analyzing the game through a statistic-based outlook, based on Fangraphs and Baseball-Reference. This is in line with how he enjoyed watching baseball as a pastime. As a writer, he is very particular about cross-checking from reputable sources and doing his due diligence.

He became a lifelong Hideki Matsui fan after his exploits in the 2009 World Series for the New York Yankees. Among the current generation, Daniel's favorites include Shohei Ohtani and Jung Hoo Lee. Daniel is a huge follower of Asian baseball and both Ohtani and Lee have been in the top echelon of their respective leagues during their time with the NPB and KBO.

His favorite moment as a baseball fan was the final at-bat of the 2023 World Baseball Classic between Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout. He believes there aren't many words to fittingly describe the intensity of the moment.

As an avid sports fan, Daniel watches other sports and Esports when not writing about baseball.

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Edited by Daniel Santiago