Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Tampa Bay Rays star shortstop Wander Franco was found criminally responsible for the sexual and psychological abuse of a minor by a Dominican Republic judge on Monday, May 25, 2026.
However, Franco will not serve any prison time as a result of the verdict.
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This decision surprised many given the seriousness of the charges against him.
A court in the Dominican Republic granted Wander Franco a judicial pardon, allowing him to avoid prison time.
The reason behind this pardon was that the court also considered Franco a "material victim" of the extortion and blackmail perpetrated by the minor's mother.
Judge Jose Antonio Nunez explained that Franco, in addition to being a defendant, was also a victim of greedy human behavior.
In contrast to Franco's fate, the minor's mother was sentenced to 10 years in prison for trafficking her daughter and money laundering.
The full court ruling and subsequent sentence are scheduled to be announced on June 16, 2026, providing further details regarding this complex case.
Judicial Pardon and Court Ruling
On May 25, 2026, a court in the Dominican Republic issued a landmark ruling in the Wander Franco case.
The judge found the Tampa Bay Rays shortstop criminally responsible for the sexual and psychological abuse of a minor.
However, the ruling also included a judicial pardon, effectively sparing Franco from prison.
This judicial pardon was granted because the court identified Wander Franco as a "material victim" of extortion.
Judge Jose Antonio Nunez explained that Franco was the target of extortion and blackmail by the minor's mother.
In contrast to Franco's fate, the minor's mother was sentenced to 10 years in prison for trafficking her daughter and money laundering.
“God is good, God is good,” Franco said as he left the courthouse and embraced his mother in tears.
Wander Franco Case Chronology
The case against Wander Franco stems from serious allegations regarding his relationship with an underage girl.
Franco is accused of having a four-month relationship with the then-14-year-old girl, beginning in December 2022, when Franco was 21.
He also allegedly transferred thousands of dollars to the girl's mother in exchange for consent to the illicit relationship.
In June 2025, Wander Franco was initially found guilty in the case.
At that initial hearing, he received a two-year suspended sentence.
However, both Franco and the prosecution appealed the initial verdict, which was overturned by the appeals court in December 2025.
This appeal then led to a retrial order, which began in May 2026.
Impact on Baseball Career and Future
Although Wander Franco escaped prison, his Major League Baseball (MLB) career remains unknown.
Franco currently still on the MLB restricted list, meaning he is not receiving a salary and accumulating any service time.
Major League Baseball has stated that it is aware of this latest court ruling and will complete its internal investigation in a timely manner.
MLB has the authority to impose additional sanctions under its Joint Policy on Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Child Abuse, which could result in suspension or a ban.
In addition to sanctions from MLB, this ruling could also make it difficult for Wander Franco to obtain a work visa in the United States.
His crimes are considered "crimes involving moral turpitude" under US immigration law, potentially ending his Major League career.
With approximately $160 million remaining on his contract, if Franco is unable to obtain a visa and play, the Tampa Bay Rays may not be obligated to pay the remainder of his contract and could even void it based on moral turpitude.