2 months ago
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Wander Franco has been found guilty of psychological and sexual abuse of a minor in the Dominican Republic - but the ex-MLB star has avoided prison.
The former Tampa Bay Rays shortstop was on trial for sexual abuse, sexual exploitation against a minor and human trafficking. He was convicted of having an illegal sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl when he was 21.
Prosecutors requested that the 24-year-old baseball player be sentenced to five years in prison. But judges handed down a suspended sentence, with Franco facing two years' probation.
As reported in the Dominican Republic, he will be put behind bars unless he meets certain conditions. It's said that the principal rule of his probation is that he does not 'approach minors with sexual intentions'.
The verdict is nevertheless expected to end Franco's hopes of returning to MLB. He is currently on the league's restricted list and, according to ESPN, the 24-year-old will likely struggle to obtain a work visa for the United States.
During the sentencing on Thursday, Franco - who wore a green shirt - could be seen wiping his eyes as he leant forward, head bowed, inside the courtroom. He was met by a wall of cameras and microphones as he left the courtroom.
Wander Franco has been found guilty of sexual abuse of a minor in the Dominican Republic
Franco was accused of having a four-month relationship with a girl who was 14 at the time
During the sentencing, Franco could be seen wiping his eyes as he leant forward, head bowed
The mother of the young girl, Martha Vanessa Chevalier Almonte, was convicted of sexual exploitation, seeking financial gain from Franco, and money laundering. She was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
She was reportedly found to have effectively agreed to let Franco be with her daughter, provided he gave her money and covered their needs.
Reports in the Dominican Republic claimed that the judges also ordered the seizure of all assets obtained through money laundering.
Following the sentencing, MLB released a statement which read: 'Major League Baseball is proud to have a collectively bargained Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy that reflects our commitment to these issues.
'We are aware of today's verdict in the Wander Franco trial and will conclude our investigation at the appropriate time.'
Earlier on Thursday, the judge in the case stated the court determined the minor was 'manipulated' because she gave differing statements about her alleged relationship with the baseball player.
However, citing an interview with a psychologist, the judge stated that the minor described herself as Franco's ex-girlfriend. She also claimed 'my mother did not sell me' and that 'Wander gave my mom a car to make up for the emotional harm caused by what happened in December 2022.'
Additionally, according to ESPN, the judge stated that the girl referred to Franco as 'Samuel' in interviews, which is a name reserved for those close to him.
The prosecutors previously said in court there was sufficient evidence to prove Franco had a relationship with the minor for four months and that he transferred large sums of money to the minor's mother to consent to the illegal relationship.
In a previous hearing, prosecutors described the evidence presented as 'convincing' and 'compelling.'
The verdict on Thursday is expected to end Franco's hopes of returning to MLB
Franco was having an All-Star season in 2023 before authorities began their investigations
Prosecutors had requested that the 24-year-old be sentenced to five years in prison
Franco was having an All-Star season in 2023 before Dominican authorities began investigating allegations he had been in a relationship with a minor and paid her mother thousands of dollars for her consent .
The authorities alleged that Franco, through his mother Yudelka Aybar, transferred 1 million pesos (or $17,000) to the mother of the minor on January 5, 2023, to consent to the abuse.
Prosecutors said that the minor's mother went from being a bank employee to leading an ostentatious life and acquiring assets using the funds she received from Franco. During raids on the house of the minor's mother, prosecutors say they found $68,500 and $35,000 that they allege was delivered by Franco.
When the case first went to trial earlier this month, the Dominican authorities laid out their arguments against the former MLB player in the first hearing.
'Franco Aybar abducted the victim for sexual purposes for several days in the municipality of Villa Montellano, in the province of Puerto Plata,' prosecutors reiterated.
'(He) then sent large sums of money to her mother (also under indictment) to prevent her from reporting him.' They claimed that the money was used to buy property.
However, when Franco's defense team first took the stand, his lawyers argued that the prosecution had no evidence to connect their client to the crimes he's accused of. They further claimed that the accusation is flawed.
Franco is also facing separate gun-related charges in the Dominican Republic and could face up to five years behind bars if convicted.
