PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic – A verdict is expected Thursday in the trial of Rays shortstop Wander Franco.
He is facing charges of sex abuse involving an underage girl.
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Verdict expected Thursday in the trial of Rays shortstop Wander Franco
Prosecutors have requested Franco be sentenced to five years in prison
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Franco, who was charged in July 2024 and is on supervised release. Franco, 24, was in his third major league season when his career was halted in August 2023. He agreed to an 11-year, $182 million contract in November 2021.
He is currently on Major League Baseball’s restricted list after initially being placed on administrative leave.
In court this week, prosecutors requested Franco be sentenced to five years in prison.
The prosecutors said in court there is sufficient evidence to prove Franco had a relationship with the minor for four months and that he transferred large sums of money to the minor’s mother to consent to the illegal relationship.
During raids on the house of the minor’s mother, prosecutors say they found $68,500 and $35,000 that they allege was delivered by Franco.
“We are requesting a five-year prison sentence for the proven crime of sexual abuse against a minor,” said prosecutor José Martínez.
The prosecutors also requested that Wander be sentenced to prison in Puerto Plata and that the minor’s mother be sentenced to 10 years in prison, arguing she sexually trafficked her daughter.
Franco also is facing charges for an illegal gun possession from Nov. 2024. No trial date has been set for that.
Rays shortstop Wander Franco (center) sits in court during his trial on charges of sexual abuse of a minor in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Monday, June 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Ricardo Hernandez)