PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic — The legal proceedings against Wander Franco, shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays, began on Monday in the Dominican Republic, focusing on accusations involving the sexual abuse of a 14-year-old girl. Franco expressed his desire for justice to be upheld during the trial.
The charges brought against 24-year-old Franco arise from incidents reported in the northern province of Puerto Plata. These allegations include sexually abusing a minor, engaging in sexual and commercial exploitation of a minor, and human trafficking. On the first day of the trial, prosecutors presented documents as evidence and announced that they plan to summon at least seven witnesses as the hearings continue on Thursday, Friday, and the following Monday.
Franco faced the charges which, if convicted, could lead to a sentence of up to 30 years in prison. He addressed the court, stating, “I heard all they said, but I wanted to say that justice must be done.” Meanwhile, his legal team is challenging the allegations, with attorney Irina Ventura claiming part of the evidence against Franco is both fraudulent and illegal. Additionally, Teodosio Jaquez, another lawyer on Franco’s defense team, noted that the minor involved refuted having had any sexual relationship with Franco.
In contrast, prosecutor Claudio Cordero affirmed that all evidence gathered was done so legally, asserting that it is substantial enough to secure a conviction, which remains the goal of the prosecutor’s office.
Franco had been enjoying a successful All-Star season in 2023 prior to these legal issues surfacing, which related to accusations of maintaining a relationship with an underage girl and allegedly compensating her mother financially for consent. The trial, originally set for December 12, has faced delays, now progressing as of June.
Given the typical timelines for court cases in the Dominican Republic, it is anticipated that the trial could extend over a period of eight months before reaching a conclusion.