SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was arrested Monday in the Dominican Republic after being questioned by prosecutors investigating him for an alleged date with a minor, according to an official with the Puerto Plata provincial prosecutor’s office.
Franco appeared before prosecutors accompanied by two lawyers, days after failing to show up for a meeting with prosecutor Olga Diná Llaverías, according to the official, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the user was not authorized to discuss the case. The official said the interview lasted about 3 hours.
Llaverías had asked Franco to appear in court on Dec. 28, two days after prosecutors and police went to two of Franco’s homes in Bani, the star player’s hometown about 60 kilometers southwest of the capital, to request his appearance. locate the 22-year-old there.
The government has published little information about the case, since it involves a minor.
Franco will have to appear in court within 24 hours, according to Dominican law. Franco’s American lawyer, Jay Reisinger, declined to comment. The AP may not have success with Franco’s lawyers in the Dominican Republic.
The Dominican Republic’s prosecutor’s office said on Aug. 14 that Franco was being investigated because of posts on his social media that suggested he was dating a minor. The AP could not determine the reported messages.
Franco was placed on administrative leave through Major League Baseball in August as part of its joint policy on domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse with the players’ association. He paid and earned service time while on administrative leave. There is no timeline for the conclusion of the MLB investigation or whether the effects of the investigation may simply lead to disciplinary action through MLB.
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AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.