Tampa Bay Rays’ Wander Franco
convicted of sexually abusing a child and gets a suspended sentence
[June 27, 2025]
By MARTÍN ADAMES
PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (AP) — Suspended Tampa Bay Rays
shortstop Wander Franco was convicted of sexually abusing a child
and handed a two-year suspended sentence Thursday.
Franco was arrested last year after being accused of having a
four-month relationship with a girl who was 14 at the time, and of
transferring thousands of dollars to her mother to consent to the
illegal relationship.
Franco, now 24, was found not guilty of charges of sexual and
commercial exploitation against a minor and human trafficking.
Judge Jakayra Veras García said Franco made a bad decision as she
addressed him during the ruling.
“Look at us, Wander,” she said. “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 requested a five-year prison sentence against Franco
and a 10-year sentence against the girl’s mother, who was found
guilty and will serve the full term.
“Apparently she was the one who thought she was handling the bat in
the big leagues,” Veras said of the mother and her request that
Franco pay for her daughter's schooling and other expenses.
Franco's attorney, Irina Ventura, said she would appeal the judge's
ruling: “Evidently, justice was not done."
Meanwhile, prosecutor Luis Martínez said he was pleased with the
rulings but did not say whether the government would appeal.
Before the three judges issued their unanimous ruling, Veras
reviewed the extensive evidence prosecutors presented during trial,
including testimony from 31 witnesses.
“This is a somewhat complex process,” Veras said.
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.
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Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, right, reacts during his
trial on charges of sexual abuse of a minor, in Puerto Plata,
Dominican Republic, Thursday, June 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Fran Afonso)
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.
After the ruling, Major League Baseball issued a brief statement
noting it had collectively bargained a joint domestic violence,
sexual assault and child abuse policy “that reflects our commitment
to these issues.”
“We are aware of today’s verdict in the Wander Franco trial and will
conclude our investigation at the appropriate time,” MLB said.
___
Associated Press writers Dánica Coto in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and
Ron Blum in New York contributed to this report.
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