Wander

Franco

Franco had an illegal sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl when he was 21. His prison sentence will be suspended. Though if he fails to meet certain conditions specified by the judge — mainly approaching minors with sexual intention — then he will have to serve the full sentence. Passan notes that even with the suspended sentence, a conviction in the case could make it difficult for him to get a work visa in the United States. Even if he does clear that hurdle, he’s likely to receive further discipline from Major League Baseball under its domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy. The 24-year-old also faces additional charges of illegal use and possession of a firearm related to his arrest in an armed altercation in the Dominican Republic that happened in early November.

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the incident occurred Sunday and Franco was arrested in San Juan de la Maguana. Guns were reportedly drawn in an apartment complex, and Franco has been held for questioning with a provisional release Tuesday. Prosecutors report that police found Glock with its magazine and 15 rounds of ammunition but no registration papers was found in Franco’s black Mercedes-Benz, with the weapon registered to another person instead. Franco is currently on administrative leave with the Rays, and will stand trial on Dec. 12 in a separate case involving charges of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation against a minor and human trafficking

Franco was arrested Monday in San Juan de la Maguana, 100 miles west of Santo Domingo “after what two police sources said was an altercation Sunday in the parking lot of an apartment complex in which guns were drawn.” He and an unnamed woman are being held for questioning. Franco is out on bail as he awaits trial for charges related to sexually abusing a 14-year-old. He is also under an MLB investigation under its domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy until the case is resolved.

Franco is charged with human trafficking, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of a minor. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison. Franco remains on the MLB restricted list, meaning he’s not being paid or accruing service time. No date has been set for the trial yet.

The 23-year-old infielder was formally charged in the Dominican Republic on Wednesday and will face a human trafficking charge in addition to the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation against a minor charges that had previously been discussed. By moving Franco to the restricted list instead of the administrative leave that he had been on since last August, he’ll no longer be paid or accrue service time.

Now that Franco has been formally charged, perhaps the Rays will be able to move him to the restricted list. As is, they’ve been paying him while he’s been on administrative leave since last August.

Franco’s professional career in the United States is almost certainly over at this point as his administrative leave is likely to be extended indefinitely until the conclusion of the legal process in the Dominican Republic.

Under the Dominican Republic’s legal process, prosecutors still have an additional 15 days to act, which means that Franco hasn’t been cleared of any legal repercussions yet. The 23-year-old remains on administrative leave until July 14. It’s extremely difficult to envision a scenario where Franco resumes his playing career in the majors, even if he winds up avoiding any legal ramifications, following allegations of having an inappropriate relationship with an underage minor.

González adds that the procedural move to extend Franco’s administrative leave, which was set to expire this weekend, buys additional time for new developments in his potential criminal case. Dominican authorities have until July 5 to present formal accusations against Franco, who has yet to be formally charged following allegations of having an inappropriate relationship with an underage minor.

Though Franco has not been formally charged, he remains under investigation in his native Dominican Republic, accused of sexual and psychological abuse, and abduction. He is required to make monthly check-ins with court officials through June 30 unless his case is resolved prior. The administrative leave stay could end earlier if there is a significant change in Franco’s circumstances, such as resolution of the case in the Dominican. The 23-year-old All-Star shortstop has been away from the team since mid-August, when allegations first surfaced of an inappropriate relationship with a minor.