Tampa Bay Rays’ shortstop Wander Franco has been sentenced to stand trial in the Dominican Republic for sexual assault and exploitation of a juvenile.
The 23-year-old Franco is also facing charges of human trafficking after allegedly having a relationship with a 14-year-old female. Previous charges of money laundering and commercial sexual exploitation were dropped.
According to The Athletic, the judge in Franco’s case, Pascual Abreu Valenzuela, has also ordered the victim’s mother, Martha Chevalier, to stand trial.
Chevalier was accused of commercial sexual exploitation, human trafficking, and money laundering in July.
Franco faces up to 20 years in prison. He is also facing penalty from Major League Baseball under the league’s domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse policies. The trial dates for Franco and Chevalier have yet to be set.
Valenzuela’s decision was rendered Thursday in what was the second and final preliminary hearing of the process. The court’s secretary was able to confirm the decision, along with the judge’s acceptance of the charges and the evidence submitted for trial, though, those aren’t ready for viewing. A trial date has not been set.
Puerto Plata’s chief prosecutor, Kelmi Duncan, said that the judge has fully accepted the charges submitted by the Prosecutor’s Office.
The victim’s father withdrew his case against Wander Franco after purportedly reaching an arrangement with Franco’s legal representation.
According to Dominican news outlet Diario Libre, a lawyer for the victim’s father indicated that he believed the evidence against Franco was “unfounded” and that his daughter informed him that she had no sexual contact with him.
Wander Franco earned a $3.8 million contract with Tampa Bay while he was only 16 years old. He was awarded an All-Star at age 22, but has been on administrative leave since August 12, 2023.
While on Major League Baseball’s restricted list, Franco continued to receive payments from his $182 million deal with Tampa Bay until he was officially charged with a crime. He has made about $13 million during his MLB career. Franco is due $8 million in 2025, $15 million in 2026, $22 million in 2027, and $25 million annually from 2028 to 2032.
