“The gun is licensed … so there’s nothing illegal,” said Antonio Garcia Lorenzo, one of Franco’s lawyers. “We simply ask for his release. They’ve already investigated the gun and it’s not his, it’s the owner’s.”

The lawyer also said that Franco was in San Juan de la Maguana “just to visit him”.

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

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

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

Franco, who declined 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 terminated in August 2023. He agreed to an 11-year, $182 million contract in November 2021.

Tampa Bay placed him on the restricted list on July 10, waiving the pay he was receiving while on administrative leave.