The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is investigating former Major League Baseball player Craig Monroe after a Port Charlotte woman contacted the department on June 12.
The report details alleged child sex crimes that took place from 2001-2007. For part of that time, Monroe was a minor league player in the Texas Rangers farm system. Monroe played for Rangers’ Florida State League affiliate at the team’s Charlotte County spring training facility during the late 1990s and remained in the organization into 2001 season before being traded to the Detroit Tigers.
Monroe had a nine-year playing career with Texas, Detroit, Minnesota and the Chicago Cubs, ending in 2009. He went on to a broadcasting career and was most recently a member of Bally Sports’ Detroit broadcasting team until he was removed last month, three days before the incident report was filed and two days before reports began surfacing on social media. He has not appeared since.
In an interview with Fox 2 Detroit this week, the woman — who wishes to remain unidentified — alleged the abuse began when she was 12 years old. At the time, her family was hosting Monroe, a common practice for minor league baseball players who otherwise couldn’t afford to pay rent during spring training or the regular season.
The woman alleged to Fox 2 that the abuse began with Monroe coming into her room to fondle her, and it escalated from there — eventually leading to intercourse when she was 15. When she turned 18, she said she and Monroe entered into a consensual sexual relationship, but added Monroe would “prostitute” her out to friends and acquaintances.
Bally Sports Detroit said Monroe’s status as a member of its broadcast team is under review:
“As previously stated, Mr. Monroe has not been on the broadcast schedule, and that will continue on an indefinite basis.”
Though the allegations occurred more than two decades ago, there is no statute of limitations, since the alleged victim was under the age of 16.
CCSO Public Information Officer Gabriella Ruiz confirmed the department was gathering information, stating in an email that, “this is an active investigation and anyone with information is asked to come forward.”
The Texas Rangers conducted spring training at what was then known as Charlotte County Stadium from 1987-2002. The Charlotte Rangers — the Florida State League affiliate — played at the stadium during the same time period.
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