Wander Franco Convicted of Sexual Abuse of Minor in Dominican Republic

Wander Franco, the shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays, has been convicted of sexual abuse of a minor in the Dominican Republic. According to reports by Juan Arturo Recio and Jeff Passan of ESPN, Franco received a two-year suspended sentence, which he will only serve if he does not meet specific conditions, one of which prohibits him from approaching minors with sexual intentions. The investigation into Franco began in August 2023, following allegations that he had engaged in a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl when he was 21, notably in a country where the age of consent is 18. He was formally charged in July 2024 with several offenses, including sexual exploitation against a minor and human trafficking, with the trial progressing after being reported in September 2024.

Following the emergence of the allegations, Major League Baseball (MLB) placed Franco on administrative leave, a standard procedure under their joint policy concerning domestic violence and sexual abuse. While he was momentarily reinstated during the offseason, he was subsequently placed back on administrative leave as the 2024 season began, eventually being moved to the restricted list in July 2024, which halted his salary and service time in the league. In a related development, accusations also surfaced against the girl's mother, who has been found guilty of trafficking her daughter and was sentenced to ten years in prison. MLB has acknowledged the conviction and stated it will conclude its investigation into Franco at the appropriate time, highlighting their commitment to a joint policy that allows for disciplinary action independent of legal outcomes. Franco had previously signed an 11-year, $182 million contract extension with the Rays in 2021, but his conviction raises questions about his ability to secure a work visa to return to the U.S.

Wander Franco, the former star shortstop of the Tampa Bay Rays, was found guilty of sexual abuse of a minor by a court in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, on June 27, 2025. The court sentenced him to a two-year suspended prison term, meaning he will avoid incarceration as long as he adheres to conditions, primarily that he does not approach minors with sexual intentions. The charges stemmed from allegations that Franco, who was 21 at the time, engaged in a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl and financially incentivized her mother with thousands of dollars for her silence. Prosecutors had initially sought a five-year prison sentence for Franco and a ten-year term for the girl's mother, who was also convicted and sentenced to a decade in prison for human trafficking and exploitation. The court's decision followed extensive testimony, and the verdict was notably delayed due to the volume of evidence presented. Franco's legal representative, Irina Ventura, announced plans to appeal the decision. Following the verdict, Major League Baseball confirmed it would conclude its own investigation into Franco's conduct, emphasizing its commitment to addressing issues of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse within the sport. The implications of this conviction may impact Franco's career and contract with the Rays, which currently stands at an 11-year, $182 million deal, potentially transitioning to non-guaranteed status, and affecting his ability to obtain a U.S. work visa moving forward.