Rays’ Wander Franco Found Guilty Again in Legal Case with No Prison Time

Wander Franco, the shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays, was found guilty once again in a retrial in the Dominican Republic on Monday, this time for sexual and psychological abuse of a minor. The three-judge panel ruled that Franco, who was 21 at the time of the alleged crime, was both a defendant and a victim in the case. As a result, he was granted a judicial pardon and will not serve prison time, though the conviction remains on record.

The ruling mirrors the outcome of the original trial in June 2023, in which Franco was also found guilty and received a two-year suspended sentence. The victim’s mother was sentenced to ten years in both trials, for trafficking her daughter and making threats. The full details of Monday’s verdict will be read in court on June 16.

The Rays and Major League Baseball released statements acknowledging the ruling. “We are aware of today’s verdict in the Wander Franco trial and will conclude our investigation at the appropriate time,” MLB said in a statement. The Rays affirmed, “We respect the legal process and the decision issued by the court. This is a serious matter, and our thoughts remain with those affected by the case.”

The case dates back to August 2023, when Dominican Republic authorities began investigating allegations that Franco had engaged in a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl. At the time, the age of consent in the Dominican Republic was 18. Franco was formally charged in July 2024 with sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking.

Throughout the legal proceedings, it was revealed that the girl’s mother had received payments from Franco totaling thousands of dollars to remain silent about the abuse. Franco was placed on administrative leave by MLB in August 2023 and moved to the restricted list in July 2024 after formal charges were filed. He has not received a salary from the Rays since that time.

In 2021, Franco signed an 11-year, $182 million contract extension with the Rays, a deal that was set to run through 2032. However, his legal status now casts uncertainty over his ability to return to the United States, as he may be unable to obtain a work visa. Even if he were to get a visa, MLB’s joint domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse policy could result in a league suspension, potentially keeping him on the restricted list indefinitely.

With no prison time for Franco and a full conviction on the books, the next step will be the June 16 reading of the full verdict in court. That date will provide more clarity on the legal reasoning behind the judicial pardon and could influence future decisions by MLB and the Rays.