Wander Franco accused of sexual abuse of minors

According to ESPN, Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was formally charged with sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of a minor on Tuesday.

The charges were brought in the Dominican Republic, where Franco and the minor involved in the case come from.

Kelmin Duncan, prosecutor of the Puerto Plata district administration and spokesman for the Attorney General’s Office, confirmed to ESPN that Franco has been officially charged with the crimes.

Franco has been under investigation since July 2023 after a formal complaint accused the now 23-year-old of having a sexual relationship with a minor. A month later, a second formal complaint was filed alleging the same crime.