Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco gets suspended sentence in Dominican Republic after child sex abuse conviction

Wander Franco, the former shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays, has found guilty of sexual abuse against a minor in a Dominican Republic court. A court in the Dominican Republic issued a two-year suspended sentence in Puerto Plata on June 26, 2025, leaving readers to assess what this judgment means for Franco's future in Major League Baseball.

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco found guilty under child sex abuse law

On June 26, 2025, a panel of judges in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, found Wander Franco guilty of sexual abuse against a 14-year-old girl. Franco, now 24, was 21 at the time of the crime. The court also fined him the equivalent of ten minimum monthly wages. The victim's mother was sentenced to 10 years in prison for sexual trafficking .

The crime involved payments and travel arrangements made by Franco, which prosecutors said amounted to exploitation. Judge Jakayra Veras García called the victim “manipulated” during her ruling.

Franco has been placed on a two-year suspended sentence, meaning he will avoid jail time if he follows strict conditions. One key restriction is that he must not approach or contact minors for sexual purposes.

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco’s MLB future in serious doubt

Wander Franco has not played in the major leagues since August 2023, when the Tampa Bay Rays placed him on administrative leave after the allegations surfaced . He is currently on the MLB restricted list, meaning he receives no pay or service time while under legal restriction .

In November 2024, Dominican authorities also charged Franco with illegal firearm possession during a separate incident in San Juan de la Maguana . MLB is continuing its internal investigation under its Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy . This legal conviction and remaining charges could bar Franco from entering the U.S., preventing him from obtaining a work visa .Also Read: Ex-MLB Star Dan Serafini Murder Trial Reveals Shocking Jail Letters And Secret Drives As Wife Erin Spohr Breaks Silence In CourtBack in 2021, the Rays secured Wander Franco with an 11-year, $182 million contract, banking on his All-Star potential . But now, with the conviction and suspended jail sentence, his ability to resume his MLB career looks bleak. Without a visa and with MLB discipline still pending, Franco’s path back to pro baseball is uncertain.