PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (AP) — Wander Franco, a shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays who has been suspended, was convicted on Thursday in relation to sexual abuse allegations. He was handed a two-year suspended sentence.
Franco was apprehended last year following accusations of engaging in a four-month relationship with a 14-year-old girl, during which he allegedly transferred substantial sums of money to her mother in exchange for her permission to continue the illicit relationship.
Franco, now 24, also faced charges of sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking.
The prosecution sought a five-year prison term for Franco and recommended a 10-year sentence for the girl’s mother, who was also found guilty and will serve the entire sentence.
Before the three judges issued their unanimous ruling, the main judge orally reviewed the copious amount of evidence that prosecutors presented during trial, including testimony from 31 witnesses.
“This is a somewhat complex process,” said Judge Jakayra Veras García.
More than an hour into her presentation, Veras said: “The court has understood that this minor was manipulated.”
As the judge continued her review, Franco looked ahead expressionless, leaning forward at times.
Franco, who was once the team’s star shortstop, had signed a $182 million, 11-year contract through 2032 in November 2021 but saw his career abruptly halted in August 2023 after authorities in the Dominican Republic announced they were investigating him for an alleged relationship with a minor. Franco was 22 at the time.
In January 2024, authorities arrested Franco in the Dominican Republic. Six months later, Tampa Bay placed him on the restricted list, which cut off the pay he had been receiving while on administrative leave.
He was placed on that list because he has not been able to report to the team and would need a new U.S. visa to do so.
While Franco awaited trial on conditional release, he was arrested again in November last year following what Dominican authorities called an altercation over a woman’s attention. He was charged with illegally carrying a semiautomatic Glock 19 that police said was registered to his uncle.
That case is still pending in court.
