Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco found guilty of sexually abusing a minor
- Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has been convicted of sexually abusing a minor in the Dominican Republic.
- While the full terms of the agreement remain undisclosed, Franco must adhere to stipulations set by the judge.
- The accusations stemmed from a relationship Franco, then 21, allegedly had with a 14-year-old girl.
Wander Franco receives Suspended Sentence in Sexual Abuse Case
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has been convicted of sexually abusing a minor in the Dominican Republic. However,the rising baseball star will avoid prison time as his two-year sentence was suspended.
While the full terms of the agreement remain undisclosed, Franco must adhere to stipulations set by the judge. These include refraining from approaching underage girls with sexual intentions. The Wander Franco sexual abuse case has drawn meaningful attention.
The accusations stemmed from a relationship Franco, then 21, allegedly had with a 14-year-old girl. Franco claimed the girl’s mother approved of the relationship.
the victim stated her mother viewed the relationship with Franco as a means of financial gain, allegedly receiving $1,500 monthly to keep the relationship secret.
According to the Dominican news outlet Noticias, which reviewed court records, the minor stated, “Since I was little my mother has seen me as a way for her to benefit from both the partners she has had and my partner, and its something that I really dislike.”
ESPN reported that Franco is prohibited from approaching minors with sexual intentions as part of the deal.Failure to comply will result in a two-year prison sentence. Prosecutors initially sought a five-year sentence. The Wander Franco situation remains complex.
The girl’s mother, Vanessa Chevalier Almonte, was found guilty of sex trafficking and received a 10-year prison sentence, according to ESPN’s Juan Recio.
What’s next
Franco’s future in Major League Baseball remains uncertain as the league reviews the details of the case and determines appropriate disciplinary action.The Tampa Bay Rays are also evaluating their options regarding Franco’s contract.