Wander Franco, the suspended Tampa Bay Rays shortstop, was found guilty of sexual abuse but received a two-year suspended sentence. His charges stemmed from a four-month relationship with a 14-year-old girl, during which he allegedly transferred thousands of dollars to her mother for consent. Franco, now 24, also faced charges of sexual and commercial exploitation of a minor and human trafficking but was acquitted on those counts.
Judge Jakayra Veras García addressed Franco during the ruling, emphasizing the inappropriateness of seeking sexual relationships with minors. The prosecution sought a five-year sentence for Franco and ten years for the girl’s mother, who also received a full sentence after being found guilty. The judge criticized the mother for her role, suggesting she believed she could manipulate the situation for personal gain.
Franco’s attorney, Irina Ventura, expressed intentions to appeal, claiming justice was not served. Prosecutor Luis Martínez expressed satisfaction with the ruling but did not confirm if the government would pursue an appeal. The ruling followed a detailed review of extensive evidence, including testimonies from 31 witnesses, with the judge noting that the minor involved had been manipulated.
Franco, once the star shortstop for the Rays and signatory of a $182 million contract through 2032, saw his career derailed by an investigation into his alleged relationship with the minor that began when he was 22. Following his January 2024 arrest, Tampa Bay placed him on the restricted list, ceasing his pay. He was also arrested in November 2023 for another incident involving an illegal firearm and remains subject to ongoing legal issues. Major League Baseball acknowledged the verdict and stated it would conclude its investigation in due time.
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