Baseball prodigy Wander Franco found guilty of sexually abusing minor in Dominican Republic court
Tampa Bay Rays
shortstop
Wander Franco
has been found guilty of sexually abusing a minor by a Dominican court, marking a significant fall from grace for the 24-year-old MLB star once heralded as one of baseball's brightest young talents.
2-year suspended prison sentence
Franco received a two-year suspended prison sentence on Thursday(June 26). Under the terms set by Judge Jakayra Veras García, he will avoid incarceration provided he does not violate specific conditions, chiefly that he must 'not approach minors with sexual intentions.' If he breaches those terms, the sentence will be enforced.
A pedophile?
The case stems from accusations dating back to 2022. Prosecutors alleged that Franco, then 21, engaged in a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl, an act that constitutes statutory rape under Dominican law, where the age of consent is 18. The girl's mother, Martha Vanessa Chevalier Almonte, was also found guilty, sentenced to 10 years in prison for trafficking her daughter in exchange for financial gain.
Franco was also initially charged with human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation, but was acquitted on those counts. The case involved over 30 witnesses and months of legal proceedings. Authorities said that Franco had made financial transfers totaling tens of thousands of dollars and gifted a car to the girl's family.
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Major League Baseball
placed Franco on administrative leave in August 2023 after the allegations surfaced, following protocol under its Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. He was later moved to the restricted list in July 2024, at which point he ceased receiving MLB salary or accruing service time.
MLB released a statement Thursday:
'We are aware of today's verdict in the Wander Franco trial and will conclude our investigation at the appropriate time.'
US work visa in danger?
Franco signed a record-setting 11-year, $182 million contract with
Tampa Bay
in 2021. Once seen as the future face of the franchise, his baseball career is now in question. Experts note that a criminal conviction involving 'moral turpitude' could bar him from receiving a US work visa, potentially ending his MLB eligibility.
Legal representatives for Franco have indicated they will appeal the conviction, asserting his innocence.
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