MLB
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was arrested Monday within the Dominican Republic after being interviewed by prosecutors investigating him for an alleged relationship with a minor, in accordance with an official within the Puerto Plata province prosecutor’s workplace.
Franco appeared earlier than prosecutors whereas accompanied by two legal professionals, days after not displaying up for a gathering with prosecutor Olga Diná Llaverías, in accordance with the official, who spoke to The Related Press on situation of anonymity as a result of the individual was not approved to debate the case. The official stated the interview lasted almost three hours.
Llaverías had initially requested Franco seem Dec. 28, two days after prosecutors and police visited two of Franco’s properties in Baní, the All-Star participant’s hometown some 37 miles (60 kilometers) southwest of the capital, to request his look. They didn’t discover the 22-year-old participant there.
Authorities have launched little details about the case as a result of it entails a minor.
Franco have to be introduced earlier than a decide inside 24 hours, in accordance with Dominican regulation. Franco’s U.S. lawyer, Jay Reisinger, declined remark. The AP was not in a position to attain Franco’s attorneys within the Dominican Republic.
The Dominican Republic’s prosecutors’ workplace stated on Aug. 14 that Franco was beneath investigation due to postings on his social media channels suggesting he had a relationship with a minor. The AP has not been in a position to confirm the reported posts.
Franco was positioned on administrative depart by Main League Baseball in August beneath its the joint home violence, sexual assault and youngster abuse coverage with the gamers’ affiliation. He was paid and acquired service time whereas on administrative depart. There isn’t any timetable for a conclusion of MLB’s investigation and whether or not the outcomes of the probe would possibly result in self-discipline by MLB.
AP Baseball Author Ronald Blum contributed to this report.