MLB News: Disgraced $182 million star convicted in Dominican court
Disgraced Tampa Bay Rays star Wander Franco was convicted of psychological and sexual abuse of a minor, according to reports Thursday out of the Dominican Republic.
According to Juan Arturo Recio of ESPN on Twitter/X, presiding judge Jakayra Veras affirmed prosecutors' allegation that Franco and the girl had a relationship that was not legally consensual.
Dice la jueza presidente que ha quedado demostrado, con respecto a la explotación sexual y el lavado de activos, la conducta criminal de la madre.
— Juan Arturo Recio (@JuanRecioM) June 26, 2025
Dice que ha sido probado que Franco y la alegada víctima tenían una relación de noviazgo no consensuada por la ley.
Franco will receive a two-year suspended prison sentence, according to multiple reports. Francys Romero reports that Franco's sentence will allow him to avoid jail time if he meets court-imposed conditions.
Wander Franco was sentenced to two years of suspended prison time in the courts of the Dominican Republic, according to multiple reports.
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) June 26, 2025
A suspended sentence means the person avoids jail if they meet court-imposed conditions.
Veras warned Franco that the essential condition of his release is that he not approach minors for sexual purposes, according to Recio.
The girl's mother, Martha Vanessa Chevalier, was sentenced to 10 years for sexual exploitation and money laundering, according to Dionisio Soldevila on Twitter/X.
Martha Vanessa Chevalier fue condenada a 10 años por explotación sexual y lavado de activos, en el caso de Wander Franco
— Dionisio Soldevila (@dSoldevila) June 26, 2025
Franco, 24, hasn't played for the Rays since 2023, and was placed on the team's restricted list in July 2024.
The former top prospect in baseball faced charges including sexual abuse of a minor, sexual exploitation of a minor, and human trafficking. The girl was 14, and Franco was 21, when their relationship began in 2022.
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Prosecutors had alleged that Franco gave the girl’s mother thousands of dollars in cash and other gifts in exchange for the mother allowing him to engage in the alleged abuse of her daughter.
In November 2021, the Rays signed Franco to an 11-year, $182 million contract through the 2032 season. Now, regardless of what actions the Rays and Major League Baseball take, Franco's future in the league is likely over.
Statement from MLB on trial of #Rays Franco:
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) June 26, 2025
“Major League Baseball is proud to have a collectively bargained Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy that reflects our commitment to these issues. We are aware of today's verdict in the Wander Franco trial…
“Major League Baseball is proud to have a collectively bargained Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy that reflects our commitment to these issues," the league said in a statement, relayed by Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times on Twitter/X. "We are aware of today's verdict in the Wander Franco trial and will conclude our investigation at the appropriate time.”
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