Just two years ago, Wander Franco was on track to become one of Major League Baseball’s brightest talents.
Now, the 24-year-old shortstop is preparing to face some of the most serious charges imaginable.
His trial is set to begin Monday in the Dominican Republic, and prosecutors say they’re bringing forward what they claim is “conclusive evidence” against him.
What Franco Is Being Accused Of
Franco is up against multiple grave accusations: sexual abuse, exploitation of a minor, and human trafficking.
These charges stem from claims that he was involved in a relationship with an underage girl and allegedly paid off her mother to keep quiet.
The mother, who is also facing charges, will stand trial for sexual exploitation and money laundering.
According to the Dominican public prosecutor’s office, Franco is accused of abducting the young girl for several days in Villa Montellano, Puerto Plata.
During that time, he allegedly sent large sums of money to the girl’s mother in exchange for her silence — money prosecutors say she used to buy property and dramatically upgrade her lifestyle.
Prosecutors Say the Evidence Is Ironclad
Officials aren’t mincing words. They believe they have a rock-solid case.
In fact, ESPN reports that the prosecution is confident they’ll secure a conviction, calling their evidence “conclusive.”
Back in September, a judge already ruled that there was enough to proceed to trial.
“It’s a solid accusation and the court understood it,” said prosecutor Claudio Cordero at the time.
A Trial That’s Been Delayed Before
This case has already seen its fair share of delays. It technically kicked off in December, but it stalled for months while authorities tried to track down a key witness.
Franco has been on supervised release in the Dominican Republic ever since, and has made court appearances with his lawyer, Teodosio Jaquez, who insists there’s not enough evidence to convict.
Franco’s Silence and a Separate Gun Case
Franco hasn’t said much publicly since the case began, aside from telling reporters after a hearing that “everything is in God’s hands.”
Meanwhile, his legal troubles don’t stop there. He’s also facing a completely separate gun charge, after being arrested in November for carrying a firearm in his car.
That incident allegedly happened after a dispute in a parking lot.
While the gun was registered under his uncle’s name, one of Franco’s lawyers claimed it had a license and insisted that “there’s nothing illegal about it.”
Follow the Money: $17,000 Transferred and Thousands More Found
Authorities say the financial trail is damning. They claim Franco, through his mother Yudelka Aybar, transferred one million pesos — about $17,000 — to the girl’s mother in January 2023 to gain her consent.
Prosecutors also allege that during raids on the mother’s property, they found $68,500 and another $35,000 believed to have come from Franco.
According to investigators, the girl’s mother had gone from working as a bank employee to living lavishly, thanks to the funds they say were funneled to her by Franco.
What’s Next for the MLB Star?
With trial proceedings beginning Monday, Franco’s future — both personally and professionally — hangs in the balance.
If convicted of the sexual abuse and human trafficking charges, he could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.
The gun charge could add another five years to that total.
Franco, who signed an 11-year, $182 million contract with the Tampa Bay Rays back in 2021, was once considered the future of the franchise.
Now, his career is on hold as the legal system takes center stage.