“The gun is licensed… so there is nothing illegal,” said Antonio Garcia Lorenzo, one of Franco’s lawyers. “We want him to be released in such a simple and clear way. They have already investigated the gun, the gun is not his, it is his owner.”

The lawyer also said that Franco came to San Juan de la Maguana “only for a visit.”

A conviction for unlawful possession of a firearm can carry a sentence of three to five years in prison.

Franco is scheduled to appear in court in the northern state of Puerto Plata on December 12. Sexual abuse case against 14-year-old girl. He was also charged with sexual and commercial exploitation of minors and human trafficking.

Franco was conditionally released on January 5, four days after he was arrested over harassment allegations.

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

Franco was in his third major league season when his career was halted in August 2023. He signed an 11-year, $182 million contract in November 2021.

Tampa Bay placed him on the restricted list on July 10, withholding his salary while he was on administrative leave.