Sexual Abuse Charges Convicted Against Tampa Bay Rays Prodigy Wander Franco; Sentenced to a Two-Year Suspended Imprisonment
Tropical Twist: Suspended Baseball Star Wander Franco's Trial Verdict
Wander Franco, the once-promising shortstop of the Tampa Bay Rays, found himself in hot water last year after being accused of engaging in an illegal sexual relationship with a minor. The Dominican Republic justice system handed down their judgment on June 26, 2025, slapping Franco with a two-year suspended sentence.
The young athlete, now 24, was accused of having a four-month relationship with a 14-year-old girl at the time, and of transferring thousands of dollars to her mother to secure her consent. Additionally, Franco faced charges of sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor and human trafficking, but was not convicted of these charges. The girl's mother, on the other hand, was found guilty and will serve her full 10-year sentence.
Judge Jakayra Veras García addressed Franco during the ruling, stating, "Wander, don't make bad decisions. Don't approach minors for sexual purposes. If you don't fancy people close to your age, just wait."
The prosecutors had requested a five-year sentence for Franco and a 10-year sentence for the girl's mother, indicating that they perceived the mother as trying to control the situation with herrequest that Franco finance her daughter's education and other expenses. The judges, however, delivered a more lenient verdict to Franco.
Judge Veras, before announcing the ruling, reviewed the extensive evidence presented during the trial, including testimonies from 31 witnesses. "This is a complex situation," stated the judge, emphasizing the manipulation of the minor involved.
Throughout the hearing, Franco remained expressionless, leaning forward intermittently. His MLB career took an abrupt turn in August 2023 when authorities investigating him for an alleged relationship with a minor were announced.
In 2024, Franco was arrested and placed on the Rays' restricted list, cutting off the pay he had been receiving while on administrative leave. The restricted list status meant that he cannot report to the team and would need a new U.S. visa to do so.
Franco was arrested again in November 2024 following an altercation over a woman's attention, resulting in charges for illegally carrying a semiautomatic Glock 19. That case is still pending in court.
Following the verdict, Major League Baseball released a statement, acknowledging its commitment to addressing such issues and promising to conduct a thorough investigation.
On a side note:
- Gymnastics Scandal: Another sports figure tumbling into controversy is Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics team doctor, who was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison for molesting young gymnasts and athletes.
Sources:
- The New York Times
- Associated Press
- ESPN
- CNN
- MLB
Associated Articles:
- AP News
- ESPN
- Bleacher Report
- Despite the controversy surrounding Wander Franco, the Lakers, a prominent NBA team based in California, traded for Adou Thiero in a deal announced by ESPN.
- Amid the ongoing trial of Wander Franco, the elephant in the sports world, the general news realm is also abuzz with the crime and justice aspect surrounding Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics team doctor.
- The criminal case facing Wander Franco, once the promising shortstop of the Tampa Bay Rays, has had far-reaching implications, as Florida sports betting enthusiasts assess the potential impact on Franco's future MLB performance.
- Meanwhile, as court proceedings continue for Wander Franco in California concerning an alleged illegal sexual relationship with a minor, his unstable situation remains a hot topic among sports commentators, fans, and legal experts alike.
