MLB star Wander Franco discovered responsible in minor intercourse abuse case: How a lot jail time is Rays shortstop seeing?

A Puerto Plata court docket handed a unanimous sentence in opposition to convicting a 24-year-old on the cost of getting an unlawful relationship with a 14-year-old woman.

ALSO READ| Fan banned by MLB after heckling Dbacks’ Marte to tears with barb about late mom, AP supply says

Will the MLB star face any jail time?

Regardless of prosecutors pushing for a five-year jail sentence, the Tampa Bay Rays shortstop was handed a two-year suspended sentence as an alternative.

Three judges of the Puerto Plata Collegiate Court docket made the ruling, so Franco is not going to spend time in jail except and till he breaks sure court-ordered situations.

“Don’t method minors for sexual functions. In case you don’t like individuals very near your age, it’s a must to wait your time,” Decide Jakayra Veras García instructed Franco, based on the Related Press.

Prices in opposition to Wander Franco defined

Franco had confronted a number of expenses, together with sexual and business exploitation of a minor in addition to human trafficking. Nevertheless, the judges dominated he was not responsible of these extra extreme allegations. Nonetheless, the court docket discovered sufficient proof to convict him of sexually abusing the underage woman, with whom he reportedly had a months-long relationship when he was 21 years outdated.

Prosecutors alleged that Franco additionally paid off the sufferer’s mom to acquire her consent for the connection. The mom was convicted as properly, on expenses of sexually trafficking her daughter, and sentenced to 10 years in jail. Authorities have ordered the seizure of all property she acquired in reference to Franco’s actions, per ESPN’s Juan Arturo Recio.

ALSO READ| Rays beat Crimson Sox 10-8 in 11 innings, spoil prime prospect Roman Anthony’s MLB debut

“The court docket has understood that this minor was manipulated,” Decide Veras mentioned, after reviewing the prosecution’s proof.

Talking earlier this week earlier than the decision was introduced, Franco maintained his innocence, telling the judges, “We anticipate justice.”

Franco’s lawyer, Irina Ventura, referred to as the result unfair and mentioned she plans to attraction the ruling. “Justice was not performed,” she mentioned.

The decision comes practically two years after the primary allegations in opposition to Franco appeared on social media in August 2023. He’s been on MLB’s restricted checklist since July 2024 and has not performed skilled baseball for the reason that expenses surfaced.

“Main League Baseball is proud to have a collectively bargained Joint Home Violence, Sexual Assault and Youngster Abuse Coverage that displays our dedication to those points,” Main League Baseball mentioned in a press release.

ALSO READ| MLB All-Star Recreation voting: How does it work and when will last group be introduced?

“We’re conscious of as we speak’s verdict within the Wander Franco trial and can conclude our investigation on the applicable time.”