Tampa Bay Rays’ Star Wander Franco Convicted Of Sexually Abusing A Child

You may have heard the news about Wander Franco, the star player for the Tampa Bay Rays, getting convicted of sexually abusing a child in the Dominican Republic.

It’s definitely a shocker and has been causing quite a stir in the sports world. Fans are torn between disbelief and disappointment over the legal outcome.

Franco was sentenced to a two-year suspended prison sentence by the three judges presiding over the case in Puerto Plata Collegiate Court.

The conviction was unanimous among the judges and comes with conditions that need to be met — the biggest being sternly told to Franco by Judge Jakayra Veras García.

“Do not approach minors for sexual purposes. If you don’t like people very close to your age, you have to wait your time,” she said to him, the Associated Press reported.

The once-touted MLB player was arrested last year after he was accused of having a monthslong relationship with an underage girl when she was just 14 then paid off the victim’s mother in order for her to consent to the relationship.

Franco’s lawyer, Irina Ventura, said that “justice was not done” and that she would appeal the ruling.

The one-time Rays shortstop had also been facing sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking charges, but was acquitted of those.

Franco was 21 at the time of the illegal relationship with the female victim. The trial had originally been slated to start in December before it was pushed to this month.

The victim’s mother was also convicted Thursday of sexually trafficking her daughter and was given a 10-year prison sentence, along with having all assets acquired through the course of Franco’s crime seized, ESPN’s Juan Arturo Recio reported.

Veras verbally reviewed the evidence that prosecutors had presented during the trial and the judge called it a “somewhat complex process.”

“The court has understood that this minor was manipulated,” she said.

Franco was described as looking expressionless as the proceedings continued, the AP reported.

It’s a real shame when someone you look up to and admire ends up in a scandal like this.

Finally, the truth has come to light and justice served. It’s still a tough pill to swallow for fans of the Rays and baseball in general.

Flip to the next page for the courtroom pictures…

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