Wander Franco, shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays, was found criminally responsible for abusing a minor but will not face a sentence. A Dominican judge ruled on Monday that Franco was a victim of extortion and blackmail by the minor’s mother, who received a 10-year prison sentence for trafficking her daughter.
Judge José Antonio Núñez explained that although Franco was declared criminally responsible, circumstances led to a judicial pardon. “The court has granted Franco a judicial pardon due to the particular circumstances that made him a material victim, but not a legal one,” Núñez stated. He described the decision as both logical and legal.
After the ruling, Franco expressed gratitude alongside his mother, Nancy Aybar, and other family members in court. Franco was arrested in January 2024. He was accused of a relationship with a 14-year-old girl and transferring money to her mother to allow the relationship.
Leaving the courthouse with his lawyer, Teodosio Jáquez, Franco addressed reporters briefly. He stated, “I feel calm,” and urged fans to continue supporting him. Franco mentioned that while he had not contacted the Rays himself, his lawyers likely had.
Major League Baseball acknowledged the verdict, stating it will conclude its investigation in due time. Jáquez confirmed that Franco was exempt from punishment under judicial pardon. The complete sentence will be provided by June 16. “He was exempted from punishment and we think that’s fine, but we need to have the sentence in hand,” Jáquez noted.
In November 2021, Franco signed an 11-year, $182 million contract with the Rays. His career faced uncertainty in August 2023 when Dominican authorities launched an investigation into the alleged relationship with a minor. Following his arrest, Tampa Bay placed Franco on the restricted list, stopping his pay during administrative leave.