FILE – Tampa Bay Rays’ Wander Franco seems to be on throughout a baseball recreation on Aug. 13, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Franco was arrested Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, within the Dominican Republic after being interviewed by prosecutors investigating him for an alleged relationship with a minor, based on an official within the Puerto Plata province prosecutor’s workplace. (AP Picture/Chris O’Meara, File)
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Dominican prosecutors investigating Wander Franco amid allegations that the Tampa Bay Rays shortstop had a relationship with a minor delivered proof Wednesday to a choose who is anticipated to quickly rule on the participant’s future.
The choose is scheduled to research the paperwork and different proof collected throughout a monthslong investigation and difficulty a ruling Friday in a courtroom within the northern Dominican Republic province of Puerto Plata, the place the alleged act occurred.
The choose has a number of choices: launch Franco on bond, quickly arrest him, stop him from leaving the Dominican Republic or demand that he make occasional appearances till the investigation or a trial has ended.
The 22-year-old All-Star participant stays in jail for now after being detained on Monday in Puerto Plata.
His lawyer, Teodosio Jáquez Encarnación, has declined to speak to the press, saying solely that Franco is doing tremendous.
Prosecutors even have declined remark.
Authorities haven’t shared particulars of the case, though prosecutors mentioned on Aug. 14 that Franco was being investigated due to social media postings suggesting he had a relationship with a minor. The AP has not been capable of confirm the reported posts.
On Dec. 26, police and prosecutors visited two of Franco’s properties situated in his hometown of Baní, simply southwest of the capital of Santo Domingo, however the participant was not there.
On Dec. 28, a prosecutor requested that Franco appear, but he did not do so till Monday, when he was detained following an almost three-hour interview.
Main League Baseball positioned Franco on administrative go away in August below its the joint home violence, sexual assault and youngster abuse coverage with the gamers’ affiliation. He was paid and acquired service time whereas on go away.
There is no such thing as a timetable for a conclusion of the MLB’s investigation and whether or not the outcomes would possibly result in self-discipline by the group.
