Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco faces a potential 5-year prison sentence as Dominican prosecutors push for severe punishment over disturbing allegations of sexual abuse involving a 14-year-old girl and accusations that he paid the child’s mother for access.
Key Takeaways
- Dominican prosecutors are seeking a 5-year prison sentence for MLB star Wander Franco on charges of sexual abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking of a minor.
- The victim’s mother faces a 10-year sentence for allegedly accepting large cash payments from Franco in exchange for allowing the abuse of her 14-year-old daughter.
- Police discovered $103,500 in cash at the mother’s home, allegedly delivered by Franco as payment.
- Even if found not guilty, Franco could be permanently banned from entering the U.S. and lose the remaining $174 million on his MLB contract.
Severe Legal Consequences Loom for Former MLB Star
Wander Franco’s promising baseball career hangs in the balance as he faces trial in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, on serious charges including sexual abuse of a minor, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking. Dominican prosecutors have formally requested a five-year prison sentence for the suspended Tampa Bay Rays shortstop. The allegations center around Franco’s four-month relationship with a 14-year-old girl, conduct that has shocked the baseball community and led to his indefinite removal from Major League Baseball since August 2023.
“Prosecutors in the Dominican Republic have asked that suspended Tampa Bay Rays player Wander Franco be sentenced to five years in prison amid allegations that he had a sexual relationship with a minor, according to The Associated Press,” The Associated Press reported.
Prosecutors seek five-year jail sentence for Wander Franco in sexual abuse case https://t.co/mW1PMOqOD3 pic.twitter.com/LYzRx6xx8e
— New York Post (@nypost) June 23, 2025
Mother’s Complicity Deepens the Case
The case has taken an even more disturbing turn as prosecutors seek a 10-year prison sentence for the victim’s mother, who faces charges of money laundering and human trafficking. Court evidence indicates that Franco allegedly transferred substantial sums of money to the mother in exchange for access to the child. Police raids uncovered $68,500 and $35,000 in cash at the mother’s home, funds prosecutors claim were delivered by Franco as payment for her complicity in the abuse of her daughter.
“I’m vocalizing what I have always said: Justice. We expect justice,” stated Wander Franco.
The presiding judge, Jakayra Veras, has delayed the verdict announcement, citing the need for careful consideration of the extensive evidence and testimony presented during the trial. “Justice has been requested, and we will do so after deliberation and consideration,” Judge Veras explained. This deliberate approach underscores the gravity of the case and the potentially life-altering consequences for all involved.
Defense Claims and Career Implications
Franco’s defense team, led by attorney Irina Ventura, has vigorously contested the charges, claiming the investigation was biased and that key evidence was deliberately excluded. They portray Franco as the victim of an elaborate extortion scheme. “Wander is a young man who has been demonized. Wander is a kid. Even though he’s of legal age, Wander is a young man,” Ventura argued in court, attempting to generate sympathy for her client despite the serious nature of the allegations.
“What is Wander? Is he an accomplice of [the mother], or is he the material author of the criminal conspiracy offense?” Ventura questioned during proceedings, attempting to shift blame to the mother.
The stakes for Franco extend far beyond the potential prison term. If convicted, he could be permanently banned from entering the United States and forfeit the remaining $174 million on his contract with the Rays. Even if he’s eventually exonerated in the Dominican Republic, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred retains the authority to suspend Franco under the league’s domestic violence and child abuse policy. To further complicate matters, Franco faces additional legal troubles from a November altercation that resulted in charges of illegal firearm possession.
A Cautionary Tale for Professional Sports
This case serves as a stark reminder of how quickly a promising career can unravel due to alleged criminal conduct. Franco, once considered one of baseball’s brightest young stars after signing an 11-year, $182 million contract extension in 2021, now finds himself fighting not just for his career but for his freedom. The Rays organization has distanced itself from Franco, who remains on MLB’s restricted list pending the outcome of both the criminal proceedings and the league’s own investigation.
For Major League Baseball, the Franco case represents another troubling incident that forces the league to confront issues of player conduct and moral character. The outcome of this case will likely influence how MLB addresses similar situations in the future, particularly regarding young international players and the league’s responsibility to monitor their conduct both on and off the field.
