Rays’ Wander Franco, who awaits sex abuse trial, arrested in parking lot altercation involving guns

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was involved in an armed altercation in a parking lot in the Dominican Republic countryside and was arrested, police said Monday.

Meregirdo Espinosa, a Dominican police spokesman, told The Associated Press it happened in San Juan de la Maguana, a city that is 116 miles (187 kilometers) west of Dominican Republic capital Santo Domingo. Franco was arrested Sunday. Another man and a woman were also detained, police said.

Espinosa didn’t specify who, but said some men in the altercation were carrying firearms.

The 23-year-old Franco is yet to stand trial Dec. 12 in the northern province of Puerto Plata in a sexual abuse case involving a 14-year-old girl. He was also charged with sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking.