Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has been convicted of sexually abusing a child and received a two-year suspended sentence. The 24-year-old was found guilty of having a four-month relationship with a 14-year-old girl, which prosecutors said was manipulated by the mother.
Franco had signed a $182 million contract in 2021 but his career was halted after authorities in the Dominican Republic investigated him for an alleged relationship with a minor. He was arrested again last year on charges of carrying a firearm and is still awaiting trial on that case.
Judge Jakayra Veras García said Franco’s actions were a “bad decision” and warned him to avoid minors for sexual purposes. Prosecutors had requested five years in prison for Franco, but the judge handed down a shorter sentence. The girl’s mother was found guilty and will serve a 10-year sentence.
Major League Baseball issued a statement saying it would conclude its investigation into the matter at an appropriate time. Franco’s attorney plans to appeal the judge’s ruling, citing what they claim is an unjust verdict.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/wander-franco-dominican-republic-tampa-bay-rays-f1ffcb27549164cc39c3d4aa4f889161