Decide Pascual Valenzuela of the Dominican Republic has dominated that the costs towards Wander Franco have ample proof to proceed to trial, per Juan Arturo Recio of ESPN. That trial doesn’t but have a date set. Franco faces a possible sentence of 20 years in jail.
In August of 2023, investigators within the D.R. started trying into accusations that the Rays shortstop had engaged in a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old lady. The age of consent in that nation is eighteen. In July of this 12 months, Franco was formally charged with sexual abuse and sexual exploitation towards a minor, in addition to human trafficking. He’ll now stand trial in relation to these prices, in mild of as we speak’s ruling.
Main League Baseball positioned Franco on administrative depart in August final 12 months when the accusations first emerged, customary process for gamers who’re being investigated beneath the joint home violence, sexual assault and baby abuse coverage. He was reinstated for the offseason in a procedural transfer however positioned again on administrative depart when the 2024 marketing campaign started.
Gamers on administrative depart are nonetheless paid, however Franco was transferred to the restricted checklist in July. Per Recio’s report, his administrative depart settlement between MLB and the Gamers Affiliation had a provision that his time on administrative depart would finish if he have been charged. Recio provides that Franco’s bail settlement doesn’t permit him to go away the nation, so the Rays have been in a position to transfer him to the restricted checklist since he can’t bodily report back to the membership. There has additionally been reporting of a second formal criticism towards Franco, although the standing of that case is much less clear.
