Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco is facing trial in the Dominican Republic on charges of sexually abusing a minor, as confirmed by a judge in Puerto Plata. The decision came after a year-long investigation, with Judge Pascual Valenzuela deeming the evidence presented by prosecutors sufficient to proceed to trial. The trial, which will be overseen by a panel of judges as there are no jury trials in the Dominican Republic, has not yet been scheduled.
The allegations against Franco involve the sexual abuse of a 14-year-old girl, with prosecutors filing multiple charges against him six months after an initial order for investigation. Despite his silence towards the media, Franco attended a five-hour hearing, expressing that he entrusts everything to God.
Franco’s lawyer, Teodosio Jáquez, anticipated the trial’s outcome, while prosecutors welcomed the judge’s decision as validation of their presented evidence. Prosecutor Claudio Cordero emphasized the strength of the accusation, stating that the court recognized the connection between the defendants and the allegations.
Documents presented to the judge in July detailed allegations that Franco, through his mother Yudelka Aybar, transferred 1 million pesos (approximately $17,000) to the minor’s mother to facilitate the abuse. The minor’s mother, now facing charges of money laundering, is currently under house arrest. Prosecutors argue that her sudden wealth and assets are inconsistent with her prior employment as a bank worker, suggesting they resulted from funds received from Franco.
Prosecutors claim to have found substantial amounts of cash during raids at the home of the minor’s mother, reportedly linked to transactions with Franco. If convicted, Franco could potentially face up to 20 years in prison. The shortstop, who celebrated his 23rd birthday in March, had been in his third major league season before facing these legal challenges, leading to his placement on the restricted list by the Tampa Bay Rays, ceasing his pay while on administrative leave.
These developments have had significant implications on Franco’s career, notably following his lucrative 11-year, $182 million contract agreement in November 2021. As the legal proceedings unfold, the baseball community awaits the outcome of the trial and its impact on Franco’s future in the sport.