Tampa Bay Rays’ Wander Franco found guilty in minor abuse case, but pardoned in Dominican Republic for special circumstances

(Franco avoids prison after being found criminally responsible of abuse of minor)

Former Tampa Bay Rays shortstop, Wander Franco, has been found criminally responsible for the sexual and psychological abuse of a minor in the Dominican Republic; but the 25-year-old former MLB star will avoid prison after receiving a judicial pardon from the court.

Judge José Antonio Núñez issued the ruling May 25 in Puerto Plata Collegiate Court, concluding that Franco engaged in an illegal relationship with a 14-year-old girl beginning in late 2022, when he was 21. Prosecutors had sought a five-year prison sentence.

The court determined Franco was guilty of the offenses but also found he had been targeted in an extortion and blackmail scheme allegedly orchestrated by the girl’s mother. According to prosecutors, the mother accepted thousands of dollars from Franco in exchange for consenting to the relationship and remaining silent about it.

The woman was sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges tied to money laundering and commercial sexual exploitation involving her daughter. Authorities previously reported discovering more than $100,000 in cash during raids connected to the investigation.

“It seems contradictory to declare criminal responsibility and, at the same time, exempt him from punishment,” Núñez reportedly said during the proceedings. “The only victim is the minor, and Wander is a collateral victim.”

Franco had originally been convicted in 2025 and received a suspended two-year sentence, but an appeals court later ordered a new trial. The latest ruling again found him criminally responsible while exempting him from jail time under what Dominican courts described as special circumstances.

Major League Baseball’s separate investigation under its Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy remains ongoing. Franco has not appeared in an MLB game since August 2023, when allegations first surfaced on social media. He was later placed on administrative leave and moved to MLB’s restricted list.

The former All-Star signed an 11-year, $182 million contract extension with Tampa Bay in 2021, but his professional future remains uncertain. Legal experts cited in reports said the conviction could severely complicate his ability to obtain a U.S. work visa, potentially preventing any return to Major League Baseball.

A full sentencing reading is scheduled for June 16.

For more on the judge’s ruling that the former Tampa Bay Rays shortstop, Wander Franco, is criminally responsible for the sexual abuse of a minor, but won’t be serving any jail time, see the video below.

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(Sources: Fox News, CBS Sports, People, Yahoo! Sports, MSN)

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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