Tampa Bay Rays infielder Wander Franco, 24, was found guilty on Thursday, June 26th, in the Dominican Republic for engaging in an illegal sexual relationship with a 14‑year‑old girl when he was 21, according to the Associated Press. A three‑judge panel delivered a unanimous verdict, though they chose not to disclose the evidence presented during the trial, calling the case “complex.”
Judge Jakayra Veras García emphasized, “This is a somewhat complex process,” later noting that “the court has understood that this minor was manipulated.”
Franco received a two‑year suspended prison sentence accompanied by several unspecified conditions, the most critical of which mandates that he “stay away from children for sexual purposes,” as stated by the presiding judge.
Also convicted in connection with the case, Martha Vanessa Chevalier Almonte, mother of the victim, was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Franco, who was initially arrested in the Dominican Republic in January 2024, was placed on MLB’s restricted list by Tampa Bay six months later, effectively ending his paid administrative leave. Last November, while out on conditional release, he was arrested again and charged with illegally carrying a Glock 19 registered to his uncle.
This conviction adds a serious and troubling chapter to Franco’s career, raising significant questions about his future in professional baseball.
