Police arrested Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco in the Dominican Republic on Monday following an interview with prosecutors in regards to their investigation into him allegedly having a relationship with a minor, according to a Puerto Plata province prosecutor’s office official, The Associated Press (AP) reported.
Accompanied by two lawyers, Franco reportedly made an appearance in front of prosecutors. Days before, however, Franco didn’t show up to meet with prosecutor Olga Diná Llaverías, according to the official, The AP reported. The interview with Franco was around three hours, the official said, according to The AP. (RELATED: Alabama Football’s Elijah Pritchett Arrested For Allegedly Spreading STD: REPORT)
Both police and prosecutors paid a visit to two of Franco’s Bani properties Dec. 26 to make an appearance request, The AP reported. The 22-year-old was reportedly in neither residence when authorities showed up. Two days later, Llaverías reportedly requested Franco to make an appearance.
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was arrested earlier today for no-showing his Thursday meeting with the prosecutor investigating him for alleged relationships with underaged girls, sources told @JuanRecioM. More news and context, free at ESPN: https://t.co/BEYOtnlOFN pic.twitter.com/zYg8sL2o3r
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 1, 2024
Minimal information regarding the case has been released due to it involving a minor, according to The AP.
Dominican law states Franco needs to be brought to a judge within 24 hours, The AP reported.
Franco is being investigated because of alleged postings he made on social media that allegedly suggested he was romantically involved with a minor, the prosecutors’ office of the Dominican Republic stated Aug. 14, according to The AP.