sports
Rays' Wander Franco found criminally responsible for abusing minor, avoids jail time in Dominican Republic
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was declared criminally responsible for the sexual and psychological abuse of a minor, but he will not serve a sentence for it, a Dominican judge ruled Monday.
TL;DR
- Wander Franco was declared criminally responsible for the abuse of a minor.
- A Dominican judge granted Franco a judicial pardon, exempting him from punishment.
- The judge cited extortion and blackmail by the minor's mother as reasons for the pardon.
- The minor's mother was sentenced to 10 years in prison for sexual trafficking.
- Franco was arrested in January 2024 and faced multiple charges, including sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
- Franco expressed relief and asked for continued fan support.
- Major League Baseball is aware of the verdict and will conclude its investigation.
- Franco's career was impacted when he was placed on the restricted list by the Tampa Bay Rays in August 2023.