Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who is already on trial for alleged sexual abuse of a minor, was hit with an illegal possession of a handgun charge on Sunday. The charge stemmed from a November 2024 altercation where a semiautomatic Glock 19 registered to his uncle was found in his vehicle. Franco's lawyers deny all charges.
Rays' Wander Franco hit with gun charge amid trial for alleged sex abuse of minor
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who is already on trial for alleged sexual abuse of a minor, was hit with an illegal possession of a handgun charge on Sunday. The charge stemmed from a November 2024 altercation where a semiautomatic Glock 19 registered to his uncle was found in his vehicle. Franco's lawyers deny all charges.
Trending- 1 November 2021: Wander Franco signed an 11-year, $182 million contract.
- 2 August 2023: Franco's major league career was halted; he was placed on MLB’s restricted list.
- 3 Nov. 10 (2024): Altercation in a parking lot in San Juan de La Maguana, where a handgun was found in Franco’s vehicle.
- 4 Sunday (June 8, 2025): Wander Franco was hit with an illegal possession of a handgun charge.
- 5 Currently: Franco is in the midst of a trial over sexual abuse allegations.
- Franco faces a new gun charge in addition to existing serious allegations.
- He faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted of the sex abuse charges.
- His major league career was halted in August 2023.
What: Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was charged with illegal possession of a handgun. This new charge comes while he is already on trial for alleged sexual abuse of a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking.
When: Gun charge filed Sunday (June 8, 2025, assuming article published June 10, 2025). The gun incident occurred on Nov. 10 (2024). Franco's career was halted in August 2023. He signed his contract in November 2021.
Where: San Juan de La Maguana, Dominican Republic.
Why: The gun charge stemmed from an altercation where a semiautomatic Glock 19 was found in Franco’s vehicle. The sex abuse charges involve allegations of kidnapping a minor for sexual purposes and sending large sums of money to her mother.
How: Prosecutors in the Dominican Republic filed the gun charge and requested Franco stand trial. Franco's lawyers plan to ask the court to exonerate him on all charges.