A judge in the Dominican Republic found MLB shortstop Wander Franco criminally responsible for sexually and psychologically abusing a 14-year-old, but granted him a judicial pardon—reportedly after concluding he was also extorted and blackmailed. The case stil
Wander Franco stepped briefly in front of reporters after Monday’s ruling in the Dominican Republic, and the emotion in the moment was quiet rather than celebratory. He described feeling “calm,” and asked fans to “continue supporting me and trusting in me.”
The Tampa Bay Rays shortstop was found criminally responsible in a case involving a girl who was 14 years old at the time of the alleged relationship. The judge ruled Monday that Franco was responsible for sexually and psychologically abusing the minor.
Even with that finding, Franco will not serve jail time. The judge granted him a judicial pardon, reportedly determining that he had also been the victim of extortion and blackmail by the minor’s mother.
That mother’s case has already moved much further into punishment. She was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted of sexually trafficking her daughter.
The legal story tied to Franco began unfolding in 2024. That year, Franco was charged over an alleged months-long relationship with the minor. Prosecutors also alleged that Franco sent thousands of dollars to the girl’s mother in exchange for consent.
The sequence matters: a criminal responsibility ruling for Franco. followed by a judicial pardon linked to extortion and blackmail. alongside a separate conviction and 10-year sentence for the mother. The court’s decisions leave readers holding two realities at once—the judge’s conclusion about Franco’s conduct and the determination that he was also a target of coercion.
MLB reacted to the verdict by stating it is aware of the ruling and will conclude its own investigation at the appropriate time.
For Franco, the next checkpoint is procedural, not final. Full sentencing is scheduled for June 16.
Wander Franco Tampa Bay Rays Dominican Republic court judicial pardon minor abuse case sentencing June 16 MLB investigation