Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco is scheduled to go to trial in the Dominican Republic on June 2, 2025, facing charges of sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking. The allegations involve a 14-year-old girl and payments made to her mother. Franco was previously placed on administrative leave and then the restricted list by MLB, cutting off his salary.
Rays star Wander Franco faces sexual abuse, human trafficking charges in Dominican Republic
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco is scheduled to go to trial in the Dominican Republic on June 2, 2025, facing charges of sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking. The allegations involve a 14-year-old girl and payments made to her mother. Franco was previously placed on administrative leave and then the restricted list by MLB, cutting off his salary.
Trending- 1 Jan. 5, 2023: Franco allegedly transferred 1 million pesos ($US17,000) to the minor's mother.
- 2 August 2023: Dominican authorities opened an investigation into Franco; MLB placed him on restricted list, then administrative leave.
- 3 September [unspecified year]: Judge Pascual Valenzuela ruled evidence worthy of trial.
- 4 November [unspecified year]: Franco arrested for illegally carrying a gun.
- 5 Dec. 12 [unspecified year]: Trial initially scheduled but postponed.
- 6 July 10 [unspecified year]: Prosecutors filed current charges; MLB placed Franco on restricted list, cutting off pay.
- 7 June 2, 2025: Trial set to begin in Puerto Plata.
- If convicted, Franco could face up to 20 years in prison for the sexual abuse charges and 3-5 years for the firearm charge.
- Franco's salary from the Rays has been cut off since July 10, 2024, when he was placed on the restricted list.
- MLB is likely to wait for the trial's conclusion before deciding on any further discipline.
What: Wander Franco, shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays, is facing charges of sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking.
When: Trial scheduled for Monday, June 2, 2025; initial investigation began August 2023; alleged money transfer on Jan. 5, 2023; trial postponed from Dec. 12; arrested in November for illegally carrying a gun.
Where: Dominican Republic, specifically the northern province of Puerto Plata.
Why: Allegations that Franco was in a relationship with a 14-year-old minor and paid her mother thousands of dollars for consent to abuse. The minor's mother is also charged with money laundering.
How: The case is proceeding to trial after a judge ruled the evidence presented by prosecutors was sufficient. The trial will be heard by three or five judges, as there are no jury trials in the Dominican Republic.