In the case of sexual misconduct, baseball player Wander Franco received a two-year suspended sentence for the verdict.
Title: Wander Franco's Legal Woes: Convicted of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Wander Franco, the young baseball sensation of the Tampa Bay Rays, found himself in hot water after a Dominican court convicted him of sexual exploitation of a minor. The Collegiate Court of the Judicial District of Puerto Plata handed down a two-year prison sentence, though the punishment was suspended with the condition that Franco stays far from minors.
Judge Jakaira Veras García, presiding over the court, stated during the sentencing hearing, "As a condition, for the moment, we will only indicate to Wander, as the regulation states, when the penalty is suspended, conditions must be imposed: that he not approach minors for sexual purposes."
The court's ruling followed a complex case involving blackmail, coercion, and a minor's mother's involvement in the exploitation. Franco's legal team argued for acquittal from the onset of the trial.
Meanwhile, the minor's mother was also sentenced to 10 years in prison for sexual exploitation of minors, money laundering, and enrichment through acts of illicit origin. Both parties had originally denied the charges against them.
The severity of the mother's sentence is attributed to the prosecutor's indictment, detailing her sexual exploitation of the minor and further alleged criminal activities.
Upon exiting the trial, Franco's lawyer remained tight-lipped, stating they would await the written judgment and plan to appeal the ruling. The basketball player, visibly moved, opted to remain silent when approached by the media.
Luis Martinez, a representative from the Dominican General Attorney's office, chose not to comment on the matter.
CNN is reportedly seeking comment from the prosecutor's office regarding the sentence imposed on Franco, since they had originally sought a five-year prison sentence.
Major League Baseball (MLB) acknowledged Franco's verdict and announced that it would finalize its investigation at an appropriate time, all the while maintaining its commitment to issues related to domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse.
Since August 2023, this situation has garnered both national and international attention. Dominican media initially exposed Franco for allegedly engaging in a romantic relationship with a minor.
The guilty verdict could potentially bar Franco from obtaining any U.S. visa, including the P-1 athlete visa used by professional athletes, according to immigration attorneys. His current visa has been revoked, and future permits may prove difficult or impossible to obtain unless an appellate court overturns or expunges the conviction.
Franco has yet to rejoin the team and was initially placed on administrative leave by MLB while the team declined to issue public statements. The case has generated controversy in the sports world and beyond.
While the Tampa Bay Rays' baseball sensation, Wander Franco, was convicted of sexual exploitation of a minor in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, the court suspended his two-year prison sentence, stipulating that he must stay away from minors. Concurrently, the minor's mother received a 10-year prison sentence for her involvement in the exploitation, money laundering, and enrichment through illicit means.
