SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — A judge in the Dominican Republic has ruled that Wander Franco, the shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays, will face trial on charges of sexually abusing a minor. This decision was announced on Thursday after more than a year-long investigation into the allegations.
The ruling was made by Judge Pascual Valenzuela, who stated that the evidence provided by the prosecutors justified advancing the case to trial. The specifics of the trial date are still to be determined, and it will be overseen by a panel of judges, as there are no jury trials in the Dominican Republic.
Franco has been accused of sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl, and the charges stemmed from an investigation initiated six months after a previous ruling mandated that he be examined for allegations of sexual and psychological wrongdoing. During the five-hour court hearing, Franco chose to remain silent, later commenting, “everything is in God’s hands.”
His attorney, Teodosio Jáquez, expressed that the outcome of the hearing was anticipated, while prosecutors stated that the judge’s decision confirmed the strength of their evidence. Prosecutor Claudio Cordero remarked, “It’s a solid accusation and the court understood it. The evidence linked the defendants to what’s described in the accusation.”
Franco arrived at the courthouse early, at about 9 a.m., with his demeanor somber. He attentively listened to both his legal team and the prosecution during the proceedings.
According to documents presented to the judge in July, which were reviewed by The Associated Press, Franco allegedly transferred 1 million pesos (approximately $17,000) to the mother of the minor through his own mother, Yudelka Aybar, on January 5, 2023. This payment is said to have been made to obtain her consent regarding the alleged abuse.
In connection with the case, the minor’s mother has been arrested on charges of money laundering and is currently under house arrest. Authorities suggest that her lifestyle dramatically changed from being a bank employee to living extravagantly and acquiring assets that cannot be justified by her reported income.
During searches of the mother’s residence, prosecutors claimed to have recovered significant amounts of cash, including $68,500 and an additional $35,000, which they allege were provided by Franco.
If found guilty, Wander Franco faces a potential prison sentence of up to 20 years. The 23-year-old athlete’s career was abruptly interrupted in August 2023, amidst the controversy, having previously signed an 11-year, $182 million contract with the Rays in November 2021. Following the charges, Tampa Bay placed him on the restricted list, stopping his salary while he was on administrative leave.
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