PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic — The legal proceedings against Wander Franco, the shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays, facing serious allegations including sexual abuse of a minor, commercial sexual exploitation of a minor, and human trafficking, were delayed on Thursday. The next hearing has been set for June 2, 2025.
A Dominican judge, Yacaira Veras, postponed the trial at the request of prosecutors due to the absence of multiple crucial witnesses. Out of the expected 31 witnesses, only three appeared in court for the hearing.
Franco’s legal team requested that the judge reconsider the decision to postpone, emphasizing that their client needs to report to spring training in mid-February. “There is no case against Wander; regardless of how many witnesses they bring forward, there is no case at this time,” stated Franco’s lead attorney, Teodosio Jáquez, following the court session.
In response, the judge affirmed that Franco is required to adhere to the trial schedule and remain in compliance with the conditions of his release from custody. The 23-year-old player expressed optimism, stating that he believes his career is not finished, and he desires for justice to prevail, mentioning, “everything is in God’s hands.”
Franco appeared slightly disheartened when asked by reporters about the state of his MLB career. He mentioned, “I did not have a career,” suggesting he still views himself as active in the sport. “This is not over.”
Franco’s major league journey was interrupted in August 2023, during what was his third season. He had signed a significant 11-year contract worth $182 million with the Rays in November 2021. Following the allegations, the Tampa Bay Rays placed him on the restricted list starting July 10, which halted his pay while he was on administrative leave.
Prosecutors have presented documents alleging that Franco, via his mother Yudelka Aybar, transferred one million pesos (approximately $17,000) to the minor’s mother to obtain her consent for the alleged abuse. The mother of the minor is currently charged with money laundering and is under house arrest.
Authorities claim that this woman went from being a bank employee to living lavishly, acquiring various assets funded with the money received from Franco. During searches conducted at her residence, law enforcement allegedly discovered amounts of $68,500 and $35,000, which they believe were linked to Franco.
In an unrelated incident from November, Franco was also charged for carrying a firearm illegally in his vehicle after an altercation in a rural area of the Dominican Republic.
This report has been updated to correct an earlier mistake regarding Franco’s ability to leave the Dominican Republic.
