SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Tampa Bay Rays shortstop walk freely He was accused of illegally carrying a weapon in his vehicle during the altercation in a parking lot That led to his arrest in the Dominican Republic over the weekend, prosecutors said Tuesday.

The Dominican Republic’s attorney general’s office said in a statement that police found a Glock pistol with a 15-round magazine inside the Mercedes Benz Franco was driving during what police called an altercation over the attention of a woman.

The gun was registered to Franco’s uncle, authorities said.

Franco, 23, who is awaiting trial in a sexual abuse case involving a minor, was arrested Sunday after an argument broke out in the parking lot of a San Juan de la Maguana apartment complex.

Another man and a woman were also arrested in the confrontation. Two firearms were seized, police said.

Prosecutors said no one was hurt in the dispute and both sides agreed not to press charges.

A conviction for illegal possession of a firearm could carry a prison sentence of three to five years.

Franco is scheduled to go on trial Dec. 12 in the northern province of Puerto Plata in a sexual abuse case involving a 14-year-old girl. He was also accused of sexual and commercial exploitation of a minor and human trafficking.

Franco was released on parole on January 5, four days after his arrest on abuse allegations.

Franco, who has refused to speak to the media, has said of the sexual abuse case: “Everything is in the hands of God.”

Franco was in his third major league season when his career came to a halt in August 2023. He agreed to a 11-year, $182 million contract in November 2021.

Tampa Bay placed him on the restricted list on July 10, cutting off the pay he had been receiving while he was on administrative leave.

___

AP MLB:

Martin Adames, Associated Press