November 12th: Per Recio on XThe Attorney General's Office of the Dominican Republic has tentatively charged Franco with “illegal use and possession of a firearm.”
November 11th: Hike Franco was arrested in the Dominican Republic, reports Juan Recio of ESPNwho wrote to multiple police sources that Franco's arrest came after weapons were drawn during an altercation in the parking lot of an apartment complex in San Juan de la Maguana. According to the report, he and an unnamed woman are being held for questioning.
Franco, 23, is is already on trial in his home country of the Dominican Republic after he was formally charged with sexual abuse and exploitation of minors and human trafficking. These charges stem from allegations that Franco had a sexual relationship with a then 14-year-old girl in 2022, when Franco was 21 years old. If convicted, Franco could face a prison sentence of up to 20 years.
Although Franco's bail agreement prevents him from leaving the country, he is still free to travel within the Dominican Republic. Recio reports that Franco would still be legally allowed to carry a firearm if he had the appropriate license and the weapon was registered. Police officials have not yet said whether Franco had the appropriate license and registration for the firearm.
It is not yet clear whether this latest incident will result in additional charges being filed against Franco, who is on indefinite administrative leave from Major League Baseball pending trial. He has been on the restricted list since July, where he is not receiving his salary and is not included on Tampa Bay's 40-man roster.
