Report: Rays shortstop Wander Franco officially charged with sexual abuse in the Dominican Republic

According to ESPN’s Juan Recio, Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has been officially charged in the Dominican Republic with sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of a minor.

Franco was away from the Rays for nearly a year due to numerous investigations.

Franco has been on leave since last August, when allegations that he was having a relationship with an underage girl first surfaced on social media. He hasn’t played in a game for the Rays since Aug. 12, and Major League Baseball has extended his leave through July 14.

A first complaint was reportedly filed with Dominican Republic authorities on July 17 last year. At least two other girls have since made similar allegations. The age of consent in the Dominican Republic is 18.

Franco was summoned by Dominican authorities in December to meet with the Special Prosecutor’s Office for Children and Adolescents, but he failed to show up for the meeting, leading to his arrest and a search of his home in Baní.

He was arrested for failing to appear, not for the sexual abuse investigation. He was released on probation and has since been required to attend a monthly check-up with the judge. Prosecutors were due to formally file charges against Franco by July 5, but last week they were granted a 10-day extension.

If convicted, Franco faces up to five years in prison. The MLB is also still investigating Franco, which could lead to a suspension regardless of the charges.

The 23-year-old was in the middle of his third season in the league when he was placed on leave, and he made the All-Star team for the first time in his career in 2023. Franco signed an 11-year, $182 million contract with the Rays in 2021, though he was officially cut from the Rays’ 40-man roster before Opening Day that season.