Tampa Bay Rays’ player Wander Franco was found criminally responsible for the sexual and psychological abuse of a minor by a Dominican judge on Monday. Despite this ruling, Franco will not be serving any sentence. The judge, Jose Antonio Nunez, noted that Franco had been a victim of extortion and blackmail by the minor’s mother, who was sentenced to 10 years for trafficking her daughter.
Nunez explained that although Franco was declared criminally responsible, he was granted a judicial pardon due to the unique circumstances that made him a victim in a material sense but not a legal one. The judge justified this decision as a logical and legal measure.
Following the court ruling, Franco expressed gratitude and embraced his mother and other family members present in court. Franco had been arrested in January 2024 on charges of engaging in a relationship with a 14-year-old girl and providing money to her mother to consent to the illegal relationship.
After leaving the courthouse with his lawyer, Teodosio Jaquez, Franco briefly spoke to reporters, stating that he felt calm and asked his fans to continue supporting and trusting him. He mentioned that he had not directly contacted the Rays but indicated that his legal team had likely been in touch.
Major League Baseball released a statement acknowledging the verdict and stated they would conclude their investigation at the appropriate time. Jaquez, Franco’s attorney, mentioned that they were awaiting the full sentencing on June 16. He clarified that Franco had been exempted from punishment by judicial pardon due to being considered a victim by the court president.
In November 2021, Franco signed a significant contract with the Rays, but his career faced turmoil when authorities in the Dominican Republic began investigating him in August 2023 for his alleged involvement with a minor when he was 22 years old. Subsequently, Tampa Bay placed him on the restricted list, suspending his pay while the investigation was ongoing.