Rays' Wander Franco arrested amid investigation into alleged relationships with minors: reports
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was arrested in the Dominican Republic on Monday amid an investigation into allegations of inappropriate relationships with minors, according to multiple reports.
Franco, 22, was taken into custody after a three-hour interview with prosecutors, an official in the Puerto Plata province prosecutor's office told The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.
His arrest came just days after the 2023 All-Star failed to appear for a meeting with Prosecutor Olga Diná Llaverías.
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 1: Wander Franco #5 of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts against the New York Yankees before the first inning at Yankee Stadium on August 1, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
ESPN reported that police visited two homes in Franco’s hometown in Baní, but he was not located at those properties. According to the report, he was arrested as a result of his failure to appear with the prosecutor.
Under Dominican law, he must be brought before a judge within 24 hours.
READ: Rays place Wander Franco on the Restricted List amid allegations of improper relationship with minor
Attorney Anthony Rickman, who is not connected to this case explains why Franco is in more legal hot water.
"He doesn’t have to answer questions, but when he was given that summons to appear, it was equivalent to him ignoring the court, and not showing up to a court hearing," Rickman said.
Franco was placed on administrative leave on Aug. 22 as MLB investigated his alleged relationships with underage girls. According to an ESPN report, at least two people have filed legal action against the baseball player, and sources said he is currently being investigated for an alleged relationship with a third minor.
Franco's last game was on Aug. 12. He was placed on leave under MLB’s joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy with the players' association.
Reports say prosecutors will be asking a judge on Wednesday to keep Franco locked up during the legal process. Rickman says the judge could grant it.
"It also wouldn’t surprise me if the reason the government is holding him now on this failure to appear is because they’re anticipating charging him with unlawful sexual conduct," said Rickman. "This may be the first shoe to drop against Wander Franco."
The Rays expressed support for the MLB investigation but have not commented on the matter since.
"We support Major League Baseball’s decision to place Wander Franco on Administration Leave," the Rays said at the time. "The Tampa Bay Rays are dedicated to upholding high standards of integrity both on and off the field. We appreciate the understanding and patience of our fans and supporters as this process unfolds. We will have no further statements on this matter until MLB completes its process."
Franco was an All-Star for the first time this season. He signed an 11-year, $182 million contract extension in November 2021, but a team option in 2033 could make the deal worth $233 million when it is over.
The Rays did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
A judge in the Dominican Republic will decide Wednesday if Franco stays in jail during the investigation.
"This is an individual who the Rays invested a lot into and they don’t usually do. Somebody that our community got behind. He was the future of our organization here in Tampa," Rickman said. "And now to see it all unravel specifically this week, where he’s now under arrest , it’s shocking to see how he’s fallen so far from Grace."
Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos and The Associated Press contributed to this report.