Franco went on strike for sexual abuse of children and was sentenced – National
Tampa Bay shortstop Wander Franco was convicted of sexually abused a child and sentenced to two years of probation Thursday.
Franco was accused of having a four-month relationship with a girl who was 14 years old at the time and transferred thousands of dollars to her mother to agree to an illegal relationship.
Franco, 24, was found guilty of sexual and commercial exploitation charges against minors and human trafficking.
Judge Jakayra Veras García said Franco made a wrong decision when he spoke to him during the ruling.
“Look at us, wander,” she said. “Don't contact minors for sexual purposes. If you don't like people who are very close to your age, you have to wait for your time.”
Prosecutors demanded a five-year sentence for Franco and were sentenced to 10 years for the girl's mother, who was convicted of her and would have her term in full.
“Obviously, she was someone who thought she was handling rackets in the major leagues,” Veras said of her mother, asking Franco to pay for her daughter's school and other expenses.
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Franco's attorney Irina Ventura said she would appeal the judge's ruling: “Obviously, justice was not achieved.”
Meanwhile, prosecutor Luis Martínez said he was satisfied with the rulings but did not say whether the government would appeal.
Before the three judges issued a unanimous ruling, Veras reviewed the extensive evidence presented during the trial, including the testimony of 31 witnesses.
“It's a bit complicated process,” Veras said.
“The court knew the minor was manipulated,” she said for more than an hour in her speech.
Franco sometimes looked forward expressionlessly as the judge continued her comment.
Franco, who was once the team’s star shortstop, signed an 11-year contract of $182 million until November 2021, but his career suddenly ceased in August 2023 after Dominican Republic authorities announced they were investigating whether his relationship with minors was investigated. Franco was 22 years old at the time.
In January 2024, authorities arrested Franco in the Dominican Republic. Six months later, Tampa Bay placed him on a restricted list, cutting off the salary he received during his executive leave.
He was put on the list because he was unable to report to the team and needed a new US visa to do so.
Franco was arrested again last November when he awaited trial with conditional release after what Dominican authorities called women's attention. He was charged with illegally carrying semi-automatic Glock19, and police said he was registered to his uncle.
The case is still in court.
Following the ruling, Major League Baseball issued a brief statement stating that it jointly discussed a common policy on domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse, “which reflects our commitment to these issues.”
“We are aware of the judgment in the Franco trial today and will be investigated at the appropriate time,” said Major League Baseball (MLB).
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Associated Press writer Dánica Coto, based in San Juan, Puerto Rico and New York, contributed to the report.
& Copy 2025 Canadian Press
