Wander Franco: Sexual Abuse Conviction & Sentence
Wander Franco, the Tampa Bay rays shortstop, faces a two-year suspended sentence after a conviction on sexual abuse charges in the Dominican Republic. The charges involved the sexual exploitation of a minor and human trafficking. MLB will now launch an investigation,potentially leading to a suspension under its domestic violence policy,even without a custodial sentence. Prosecutors presented significant evidence,including allegations of a relationship with a 14-year-old girl and payments made to her mother.The case has already seen repercussions, with Franco also facing a seperate legal issue regarding a gun charge. this news underscores the critical nature of addressing these challenging issues.News Directory 3 has the latest updates. Discover what’s next …
Wander Franco Convicted of sexual Abuse, MLB Probe to Follow
tampa bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was convicted of sexual abuse in a Dominican republic court Thursday, according to the Associated Press. Franco received a two-year suspended sentence after facing charges that included sexual exploitation of a minor and human trafficking.
Prosecutors presented roughly 600 pages of evidence in January 2024, alleging Franco had a four-month relationship with a 14-year-old girl.He also allegedly provided the girlS mother with cash and a car in exchange for consenting to the relationship. The girl’s mother received a 10-year prison sentence.
Franco was arrested on a gun charge in November 2024,stemming from an unrelated altercation,while awaiting trial. He faces a separate legal case for that charge.
With criminal proceedings in the Dominican Republic concluded, Major League Baseball will investigate Franco and consider a suspension under its Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. Discipline under the policy does not require criminal charges or a conviction.
“Major League baseball is proud to have a collectively bargained Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy that reflects our commitment to these issues,” the league said in a statement Thursday. “We are aware of today’s verdict in the Wander Franco trial and will conclude our investigation at the appropriate time.”
The longest suspension under MLB’s domestic violence policy was a 324-game ban given to Trevor Bauer in April 2022,after multiple women accused him of sexual abuse.That suspension was later reduced to 194 games on appeal.
Franco last played for the Rays on Aug. 12, 2023. He was on administrative leave from that day through July 10, 2024, when charges were filed, and then placed on the restricted list. Franco has not been paid nor accrued service time while on the restricted list. This is Year 5 of an 11-year, $182 million contract extension he signed in November 2021.
Franco, now 24, was once considered one of baseball’s top young talents. He finished third in the 2021 AL Rookie of the Year voting despite playing only 70 games and was an All-Star in 2022.