PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (AP) — Wander Franco, the suspended shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays, has been convicted of sexually abusing a child and sentenced to a two-year suspended sentence by Judge Jakayra Veras García on Thursday.
Franco, who is now 24 years old, was arrested last year after authorities accused him of engaging in a four-month relationship with a girl who was 14 at the time. It was alleged that he transferred thousands of dollars to her mother in an attempt to gain consent for this illegal relationship. Despite the conviction for sexual abuse, Franco was found not guilty of more serious charges, including sexual and commercial exploitation of a minor and human trafficking.
During the ruling, Judge Veras emphasized the gravity of Franco's actions, stating, "Look at us, Wander. Do not approach minors for sexual purposes. If you don’t like people very close to your age, you have to wait your time." Prosecutors had initially sought a five-year prison sentence for Franco and a ten-year sentence for the girl's mother, who was also convicted and will serve the full term.
Judge Veras did not hold back in her criticism of the mother, remarking, "Apparently she was the one who thought she was handling the bat in the big leagues," referencing her request for Franco to cover her daughter’s educational expenses. Franco’s attorney, Irina Ventura, expressed her intention to appeal the ruling, stating, "Evidently, justice was not done." In contrast, prosecutor Luis Martínez expressed satisfaction with the verdicts but did not specify if there would be an appeal from the prosecution.
Prior to the judges' unanimous verdict, Judge Veras acknowledged the complexity of the case, having reviewed extensive evidence, including testimonies from 31 witnesses. She commented on the manipulation of the minor involved, suggesting that there were deeper issues at play in the circumstances surrounding the abuse.
Franco's career has substantially changed due to these allegations. At the time of the investigation, he was considered a star player, having signed a massive 11-year, $182 million contract with the Tampa Bay Rays in November 2021. However, his career took a downturn in August 2023 when the investigation was announced, leading to his placement on the restricted list by the Rays six months after his arrest.
Additionally, while awaiting trial, Franco was rearrested in November over a separate incident that involved allegations of illegal firearm possession, as he was charged with carrying a semiautomatic Glock 19 registered to his uncle. This case is still pending in court.
In response to the verdict, Major League Baseball issued a brief statement indicating its dedication to domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse issues, affirming that they would conclude their investigation at an appropriate time.
The proceedings have attracted significant media attention due to the high-profile nature of the allegations and the implications for Franco's career in Major League Baseball.
