Jakaira Veras García, of the Collegiate Court of the Judicial District of Puerto Plata, and fellow judges Venecia Rojas and José Juan Jiménez, issued their verdict on the high-profile case of MLB leading slugger Wander Franco accused of child sexual abuse.
The Puerto Plata court found Wander Franco, the Tampa Bay Rays shortstop, guilty of sexual abuse and exploitation of a minor in the Dominican Republic. He was sentenced to two years in prison, but the sentence was suspended on the condition that he must not approach or have contact with minors for sexual purposes. Franco was fined approximately US$3,650.
The court recognized that Franco had been pressured and blackmailed by the minor’s mother, who sought financial gain.
Meanwhile, the mother of the minor, Martha Vanessa Chevalier, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined around US$11,050 for her role in the sexual exploitation, money laundering, and profiting from illicit activities related to the case. Around RD$10 million in assets were seized from the mother.
Franco needed to be acquitted so he can play again in Major League Baseball (MLB). He has not played since August 2023 and remains on MLB’s restricted list, meaning he cannot currently play or earn service time. Due to the conviction being classified as a crime involving moral turpitude, it is expected that Franco will be barred from obtaining a US work visa, effectively preventing him from legally entering the United States to resume his MLB career.
Franco’s lawyers have a week to appeal. Unless he successfully appeals and overturns the conviction, the likelihood of Franco returning to MLB appears very slim, and he risks forfeiting the remaining US$154 million on his contract with the Rays.
Franco faces another trial in the DR for illegal possession of a firearm. A Glock pistol was found on him after he was involved in a fight.
The MLB reportedly has advanced an investigation into the case but has not yet revealed the findings.
Moreso, the case is expected to be used to counsel emerging baseball players. Moreso, it sets jurisprudence for parents’ responsibility in child abuse cases.
Franco may still have doors open to show off his athletic prowess playing in the Japanese or other international baseball leagues.
Diario Libre looks into the institutional weaknesses and cultural acceptance of minors having sex in the Dominican Republic.
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30 June 2025