Wander Franco Faces Five-Year Sentencing for Sexual Abuse Charges

PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic — Dominican prosecutors requested on Monday that suspended Major League Baseball player Wander Franco be sentenced to five years in prison for charges of sexual abuse involving a minor.

The allegations involve a 14-year-old girl, with prosecutors citing evidence that Franco had a relationship with the girl for four months. They claimed he transferred large sums of money to the girl’s mother in exchange for consent to this illegal relationship.

During court proceedings, prosecutors revealed that during raids on the mother’s home, they discovered $68,500 and $35,000 alleged to have been delivered by Franco. “We are requesting a five-year prison sentence for the proven crime of sexual abuse against a minor,” prosecutor José Martinez stated.

Franco’s legal team argued against the claims, questioning the evidence presented. Attorney Irina Ventura asked, “What is Wander? Is he an accomplice of Vanessa or is he the material author of the criminal conspiracy offense?”

In addition to Franco’s potential sentence, prosecutors also demanded that the girl’s mother be sentenced to 10 years for allegedly sexually trafficking her daughter.

Previously, prosecutors described the evidence as “convincing” and “compelling.” They indicated that reports submitted last year suggested Franco, via his mother Yudelka Aybar, transferred 1 million pesos (approximately $17,000) to the minor’s mother to facilitate the abuse.

Franco was in his third season with the Tampa Bay Rays when his career abruptly halted in August 2023. He had signed an 11-year, $182 million contract in November 2021 but is currently on Major League Baseball’s restricted list after being placed on administrative leave.

The collegiate court of Puerto Plata is expected to announce its decision on Thursday.