Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was found guilty Thursday in the Dominican Republic of sexually abusing a minor, receiving a two-year suspended prison sentence. The 24-year-old former All-Star was initially arrested last year after allegations emerged that he had an inappropriate relationship with a 14-year-old girl when he was 21.
Franco was also facing charges of sexual and commercial exploitation of a minor, as well as human trafficking. According to court documents, Franco sent thousands of dollars to the girl’s mother, Martha Vanessa Chevalier Almonte, in exchange for consent to the relationship. Chevalier Almonte was found guilty of sexually trafficking her daughter and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Prosecutors had asked for a five-year sentence for Franco, but the court instead issued the suspended term, meaning he will avoid jail time unless he violates terms of the sentence.
Franco last appeared in a Major League game in August 2023 before being placed on administrative leave while MLB and Dominican authorities conducted investigations. He remains on MLB’s restricted list, and his conviction will likely make it extremely difficult for him to obtain a U.S. work visa in the future, casting serious doubt on any potential return to professional baseball.
The Rays signed Franco to a landmark 11-year, $182 million contract in November 2021—a deal that could have reached $223 million with incentives. Over parts of three MLB seasons, Franco played in 263 games, posted a .282 batting average, hit 30 home runs, and drove in 130 runs while stealing 40 bases. He was named to his first All-Star Game in 2023 before the allegations halted his career.
The Tampa Bay Rays and Major League Baseball have not issued a statement following the court ruling.