SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Dominican prosecutors charged Wander Franco on Wednesday with commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering after allegations that the Tampa Bay Rays shortstop had a relationship with a minor whose mother also faces the same charges.
Prosecutors asked that a judge hold Franco on $86,000 bail, ban him from leaving the Dominican Republic and place him under house arrest. They noted that the money laundering allegations stemmed from allegations that Franco made payments to the minor's mother.
Prosecutors also asked the judge to ban the minor's mother from leaving the country and place her under house arrest.
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“These measures requested by the State Ministry are aimed at ensuring the integrity of the process,” the ministry said in a statement.
Prosecutors also turned over evidence to a judge who is expected to decide Franco's future soon.
The judge is expected to analyze documents and other evidence collected during a months-long investigation and deliver a verdict Friday in a courtroom in the northern Dominican Republic province of Puerto Plata, where the alleged crimes were committed.
The judge has several options: release Franco on bail, temporarily detain him, prevent him from leaving the Dominican Republic or require him to make occasional appearances until the investigation or trial is completed.
The 22-year-old All-Star player remains in prison for now after being arrested in Puerto Plata on Monday.
His lawyer, Teodosio Jáquez Encarnación, refused to speak to the media, saying only that Franco was fine.
Prosecutors also declined to comment.
Authorities did not provide details of the case, although prosecutors said on August 14 that Franco was being investigated for social media posts that suggested he was having a relationship with a minor. The AP was unable to verify the reported posts.
On December 26, police and prosecutors visited two of Franco's properties in his hometown of Baní, southwest of the capital Santo Domingo, but the player was not there.
Last Thursday, a prosecutor called for Franco to appear, but he did not do so until Monday, when he was arrested after a nearly three-hour interview.
Major League Baseball placed Franco on leave in August as part of its joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy with the players' association. He was paid during his vacation and received service time.
There is no timeline for the completion of the MLB investigation and whether the findings could lead to disciplinary action by the league.