Tampa Bay Rays Shortstop Wander Franco Ordered To Stand Trial In Abuse Of A Minor Case

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Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has been ordered to stand trial in the Dominican Republic on charges of sexual abuse and exploitation of a minor.

The 23-year-old Franco also faces charges of human trafficking after it was alleged that he was involved in a relationship with a 14-year-old girl. Previous charges of money laundering and commercial sexual exploitation had been previously dismissed.

The Athletic reports that the judge in Franco’s case, Pascual Abreu Valenzuela, also issued ordered the mother of the victim, Martha Chevalier, to stand trial.

Chevalier was charged with commercial sexual exploitation, human trafficking and money laundering in July.

Franco faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. He also faces discipline by Major League Baseball under the league’s domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy. Trial dates for both Franco and Chevalier have yet to 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 the complaint he had filed against Wander Franco after reportedly reaching an agreement with Franco’s legal representatives.

According to Dominican news publication Diario Libre, a lawyer for the victim’s father stated that he believed the evidence against Franco was “unfounded” and that his daughter told him she did not have a sexual relationship with him.

Wander Franco signed a $3.8 million contract with Tampa Bay when he was just 16-years-old. He was named an All-Star at the age of 22, but has been on administrative leave since August 12, 2023.

While on Major League Baseball’s restricted list, Franco continued to collect payments from his $182 million contract with Tampa Bay until he was officially charged with a crime. He has earned almost $13 million so far in his MLB career. Franco is due $8 million in 2025, $15 million in 2026, $22 million in 2027, and $25 million per year from 2028 to 2032.