Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has received a judicial pardon in the Dominican Republic despite being found guilty of sexually abusing a minor, avoiding any prison time.
A Dominican Republic judge determined Monday that Franco was both a perpetrator and a victim in his case, following his initial conviction in June 2025. Franco had been sentenced to two years of suspended prison time for an unlawful relationship with a 14-year-old girl in his home country.
Following an appeal by Franco’s legal team, a new trial was ordered. A three-judge panel reviewed the case and on Monday found Franco guilty while also determining he was victimized through extortion by the minor’s mother.
“In this case, the court has considered not only the conduct regarding an anomalous or abnormal relationship between the defendant and a minor, but also that the defendant in this specific case is also a victim,” Judge Jose Ramon Nunez said, per Listin Diario. “A victim of rapacious human behavior, which forgets principles and values and, once the problem arises, tries to profit from it at the expense of the very dignity of the one who should have been protected.”
Investigators discovered Franco made two payments exceeding $100,000 to the victim’s mother, reportedly to permit the relationship to persist for approximately two months beginning in 2022.
The victim’s mother received another conviction for trafficking and was sentenced to 10 years in prison for money laundering and additional charges.
Regarding Franco’s professional baseball future, the conviction remains on his record and he continues on Major League Baseball’s restricted list. Franco may face suspension under the league’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy.
“We are aware of today’s verdict in the Wander Franco trial and will conclude our investigation at the appropriate time,” MLB said in a statement to multiple outlets.
Franco remains under contract with the Rays, who signed him to an 11-year, $182 million extension in 2021. He receives no pay while on the restricted list.
“The Tampa Bay Rays are aware of today’s ruling in the Dominican Republic involving Wander Franco,” the team said in a statement to the Tampa Bay Times. “We respect the legal process and the decision issued by the court. This is a serious matter, and our thoughts remain with those affected by the case.
“The Rays will continue to cooperate fully with Major League Baseball as it completes its review under the league’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. Out of respect for the legal process and all parties involved, we will have no further comment at this time.”
Franco, now 25, hasn’t appeared in an MLB game since Aug. 12, 2023. He was selected as an All-Star that season during his third year in the majors, posting a .282 career batting average with 30 home runs and 130 RBIs across 265 games.
