Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has been formally charged with sexual abuse and exploitation of a minor in the Dominican Republic, according to ESPN’s Juan Recio.
Franco has been away from the Rays for nearly a year due to multiple investigations.
Big news from ESPN’s Dominican Republic FollowTampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has been formally charged with sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of a minor. https://t.co/GCDsSqrnsG
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 10, 2024
Recio reported Monday morning that Dominican authorities are also accusing Franco of human trafficking.
Update: Dominican authorities, through a press release, have announced that in addition to the crimes of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of minors, #WandaFranco He is accused of human trafficking.
This crime is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
— Juan Arturo Recio (@JuanRecioM) July 10, 2024
Franco is on leave. He has not played in a Rays game since Aug. 12 after allegations first emerged on social media last August that he had a relationship with an underage girl, and MLB extended his suspension until July 14.
The first complaint was reportedly filed with Dominican authorities on July 17 last year. Since then, at least two other girls have come forward with similar allegations. The age of consent in the Dominican Republic is 18.
Franco was summoned by Dominican authorities in December to meet with the Specialized Children and Youth Prosecutor’s Office, but failed to attend the meeting. He was arrested and his home town was searched. In Bunny.
Franco was arrested for failing to appear in court, not for a sexual abuse investigation. He was released on parole and has been required to appear before a judge every month since. Prosecutors had a July 5 deadline to formally charge Franco, but were granted a 10-day extension last week.
Franco faces up to five years in prison if convicted. MLB is also investigating Franco and he could be suspended regardless of whether or not he is charged with a criminal offense.
The 23-year-old Franco was placed on administrative leave midway through his third season in the league. He was selected to the All-Star team for the first time in his career in 2023. Franco signed an 11-year, $182 million contract with the Rays in 2021, but was officially removed from the Rays’ 40-man roster before the start of this season.
