Rays' Wander Franco to stand trial in Dominican Republic on sexual abuse, human trafficking charges

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic - More than a year after he last took the field with the Tampa Bay Rays, shortstop Wander Franco is set to stand trial in the Dominican Republic beginning Thursday in a sexual abuse case involving an underage girl.

The investigation into Franco, who is now 23, began in 2023 amid allegations he had been in a relationship with the teen, who was 14 at the time, and paid her mother thousands of dollars for her consent.

Charges against Wander Franco

Franco was formally charged in July with sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking.

The Associated Press obtained documents presented to a judge earlier this year alleging that Franco, through his mother, transferred 1 million pesos, or about $17,000, to the teen's mother in January 2023.

Tampa Bay Rays Dominican baseball shortstop Wander Franco (L), who faces an accusation of molesting an underage girl, arrives in court under heavy escort in Puerto Plata, in Dominican Republic, on January 5, 2024. The hearing was being held behind cl

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Prosecutors believe Franco made several payments to the teen's mother, saying detectives found more than $100,000 during raids of her home.

The mother of the minor is charged with money laundering and is under house arrest.

How long could the trial last?

It could take up to eight months for a panel of judges to analyze evidence and reach a verdict, as there are no jury trials in the Dominican Republic.

Franco faces up to 20 years in prison, if convicted.

What's Franco's status with the Rays?

Franco, who signed an 11-year, $182 million contract extension with the Rays in 2021, is on Major League Baseball's restricted list, so he is no longer being paid by the team.

He was being paid, though, for nearly a year after the investigation began. Franco was on administrative leave until prosecutors filed charges in July, allowing him to receive 50% of his salary during that time.

Any further discipline from MLB will likely be decided after the trial.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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