Former MLB star Wander Franco could face five years in prison and lose $174 million as Dominican prosecutors pursue sexual abuse charges for his alleged relationship with a 14-year-old girl.
Key Takeaways
- Dominican prosecutors are seeking a five-year prison sentence for Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco on charges of sexual abuse of a minor, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking.
- Franco allegedly paid the 14-year-old victim’s mother, who now faces potential 10-year imprisonment on sex trafficking charges after police discovered large sums of cash ($68,500 and $35,000) at her home.
- If convicted, Franco could permanently lose his MLB career, forfeit $174 million remaining on his contract, and face deportation from the United States.
- Franco’s defense claims he is the victim of an extortion scheme and that key evidence was excluded from the investigation.
- The baseball star faces additional legal troubles from a November altercation involving illegal firearms possession.
Star Athlete Faces Serious Criminal Charges
Wander Franco, once considered the future face of Major League Baseball, now stands trial in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, facing charges that could end his professional baseball career. Prosecutors have formally requested a five-year prison sentence for the 23-year-old Tampa Bay Rays shortstop, who is accused of maintaining a four-month sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl. The charges against Franco include sexual abuse of a minor, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking, painting a disturbing picture of alleged criminal behavior by the young sports star.
From @JuanRecioM's reporting in the DR today:
Prosecutors seek a five-year sentence for Wander Franco for sexual abuse, commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking of a minor.
Wander's defense team has requested the case be dismissed due to a lack of evidence.
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) June 23, 2025
“I’m vocalizing what I have always said: Justice. We expect justice,” said Wander Franco during court proceedings.
The case has drawn significant attention throughout the Dominican Republic and the United States, where Franco had been hailed as one of baseball’s brightest young talents. Since August 2023, Franco has been on administrative leave from Major League Baseball and was later moved to the restricted list after formal charges were filed. The league’s investigation into the allegations continues separately from the Dominican Republic’s criminal proceedings, with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred maintaining the authority to suspend Franco under the league’s domestic violence and child abuse policy even if he is cleared of criminal charges.
Mother Implicated in Trafficking Scheme
In a disturbing twist to the case, prosecutors have requested a 10-year prison sentence for the alleged victim’s mother, who faces charges of money laundering and human trafficking. Law enforcement officials reported finding $68,500 and $35,000 in cash at the mother’s home, allegedly delivered by Franco. These financial transactions form a critical component of the prosecution’s case, suggesting the mother facilitated and profited from the inappropriate relationship between her daughter and the baseball player.
“Prosecutors in the Dominican Republic have asked that suspended Tampa Bay Rays player Wander Franco be sentenced to five years in prison amid allegations that he had a sexual relationship with a minor, according to The Associated Press,” reported The Associated Press.
The alleged trafficking scheme has raised serious concerns about the exploitation of minors in the Dominican Republic, particularly in cases involving wealthy and influential individuals. The prosecution has presented evidence of financial transactions between Franco, his own mother, and the victim’s mother, suggesting a coordinated effort to facilitate and conceal the relationship. Despite these allegations, Franco has been free on supervised release since the charges were initially filed, with his defense team vigorously contesting the prosecution’s narrative.
Defense Claims Extortion Plot
Franco’s legal team has mounted an aggressive defense, claiming their client is actually the victim of an elaborate extortion scheme. His attorneys have requested that the court clear him of all charges, arguing that the investigation was biased and that key exculpatory evidence was deliberately excluded. The defense has also questioned the characterization of Franco’s role in the alleged crimes, challenging the prosecution’s portrayal of events and motives throughout the lengthy legal proceedings.
“Wander is a young man who has been demonized. Wander is a kid. Even though he’s of legal age, Wander is a young man. How old do people here think Wander is?” argued Irina Ventura, Franco’s attorney, highlighting her client’s youth and suggesting he was manipulated.
The trial has faced multiple postponements, with the defense presenting only two hours of arguments from Franco and the alleged victim’s mother. Judge Jakayra Veras announced a delay in delivering the verdict, citing the extensive evidence and statements presented throughout the case. If found guilty, Franco faces not only imprisonment but also potential permanent exclusion from the United States and the forfeiture of the $174 million remaining on his MLB contract. Additionally, Franco faces separate charges from a November altercation involving illegal possession of firearms, further complicating his legal situation.
