Baseball player Wander Franco found guilty in sexual abuse case, imposed two-year suspended sentence

 

Legendusashirt: Wander Franco Found Guilty in Sexual Abuse Case, Receives Two-Year Suspended Sentence

PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic – The highly publicized sexual abuse case against Major League Baseball player Wander Franco concluded on Thursday with a guilty verdict. The former Tampa Bay Rays shortstop was found guilty of sexual abuse of a minor and was handed a two-year suspended prison sentence by a court in the Dominican Republic.

The verdict means Franco, 24, will avoid immediate incarceration, provided he adheres to specific conditions set by the court. The most crucial of these conditions is that he must not approach minors with sexual intentions. The decision can be appealed to higher courts.

Franco's legal troubles began in August 2023, when social media posts surfaced alleging he had been involved in a relationship with a 14-year-old girl. At the time, Franco was 21 years old. He was placed on administrative leave by Major League Baseball and later moved to the restricted list in July 2024 when formal charges were filed in the Dominican Republic. He has not played for the Tampa Bay Rays since August 12, 2023, and has not been paid or accrued service time while on the restricted list.

Prosecutors in the Dominican Republic had sought a five-year prison sentence for Franco. However, the court opted for a suspended sentence, taking into account factors such as his youth and his status as a first-time offender. Judge Jakayra Veras García, addressing Franco during the ruling, emphasized the gravity of his actions.

The minor's mother was also implicated in the case and was found guilty of sexual exploitation. She received a significantly harsher sentence of 10 years in prison, with the court also ordering the seizure of assets acquired through illicit means. Evidence presented during the trial included allegations that Franco had transferred thousands of dollars to the mother to consent to the illegal relationship.

Major League Baseball released a statement acknowledging the verdict and reiterated its commitment to its collectively bargained Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. The league stated it would conclude its own investigation at the appropriate time, indicating further disciplinary action from MLB could still be forthcoming.

This conviction casts a long shadow over Franco's once-promising baseball career. Even with a suspended sentence, the legal ramifications and the potential difficulty in securing a U.S. work visa could make a return to Major League Baseball an extremely challenging, if not impossible, prospect.

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