In Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, a judge ruled on Monday that Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco is criminally responsible for the abuse of a minor. However, he will not serve a sentence. Judge José Antonio Núñez stated that Franco was a victim of extortion and blackmail by the minor’s mother, who received a 10-year prison sentence for trafficking her daughter.
Judge Núñez explained that while Franco was declared criminally responsible, he was granted a judicial pardon due to the circumstances making him a material victim. This decision, according to Núñez, follows logical and legal reasoning.
“Thank God for everything,” Franco said after the decision as he embraced his mother, Nancy Aybar, and family members present in court.
Franco had been arrested in January 2024 for an alleged four-month relationship with a 14-year-old girl. The case also involved transferring large sums of money to the girl’s mother for consent to the illegal relationship.
After the ruling, Franco and his lawyer, Teodosio Jáquez, addressed reporters briefly. Franco expressed feeling calm and urged his fans to continue supporting him. He mentioned that he had not contacted the Rays directly but trusted that his legal team had done so.
The Major League Baseball organization commented on the verdict, stating that the investigation would conclude at the proper time. Franco’s attorney noted that while the physical sentence is not yet in hand, Franco was exempt from punishment. They anticipate further details will be available after receiving the full sentence on June 16.
In November 2021, Franco signed a significant contract with the Rays. His career faced disruption in August 2023 when allegations led to a Dominican Republic investigation. Six months following his arrest, the Rays placed Franco on the restricted list, affecting his pay during administrative leave.