Wander Franco Braces for Trial Following Rape Charges and Other Allegations

In December 2023, Tampa Bay Rays player Wander Franco vanished from the spotlight, and not because he was seeking a break from media or public attention. Instead, it was believed he had fled to the Dominican Republic amidst accusations of engaging in a relationship with an underage girl.

Fast forward to July 2024, and reports now indicate that Wander is slated to appear in court on Aug. 14, 2024, for his trial. He faces multiple charges, including one that could result in a 10 to 15-year jail sentence, according to AP News. So, what exactly happened to Wander and what charges is he facing?

Domestic reports about what happened to Wander Franco initially came from the local paper Listin Diario.

Indeed, it has being widely claimed that the Santo Domingo Prosecutor's Office for Children and Adolescents raided two homes in the country looking for the baseball player in an attempt to question him about at least one inappropriate relationship with an underage girl.

Major League Baseball is reportedly also investigating disturbing claims about the player that came to light on social media in August 2023.

By July 2024, new details emerged, as reported by AP News, indicating that Wander has been charged (in the Dominican Republic) with sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl in the Dominican Republic.

The indictment reportedly notes that the underage girl's mother, whose identity is being kept under wraps, was paid thousands of dollars by Wander "to consent to the abuse, which lasted four months." The child's mother is reportedly on house arrest and had been charged with money laundering.

The media outlet also noted that Wander is facing serious charges, including rape, which carries a potential jail sentence of 10 to 15 years, and human trafficking, which could result in an additional 15 to 20 years behind bars.

According to AP News, Wander is in the Dominican Republic as the investigate ensues. He is reportedly required to visit the court on a monthly basis in the meantime as he awaits his trial date, which is schedyled for Aug. 15, 2024. Franco's case will be held in the province of Puerto Plata.

Wander was initially placed on leave from the Florida baseball team shortly after signing an 11-year, $182 million contract. During this period, he continued to receive 50 percent of his salary. However, he has reportedly been moved to the restricted list, resulting in a pause on his pay.

For their part, the Rays spoke out about the embattled player's standing with the team, saying in a statement in August 2023, “We support Major League Baseball’s decision to place Wander Franco on administrative leave."

The statement also said, "The Tampa Bay Rays are dedicated to upholding high standards of integrity both on and off the field. We appreciate the understanding and patience of our fans and supporters as this process unfolds. We will have no further statements on this matter until MLB completes its process.”

But fans are speaking out on social media about the controversy, especially since Wander has been formally charged with numerous disturbing crimes.

Although Wander has been charged, he has not yet been convicted. By August 2024, however, we should have a clearer picture of Wander's fate. For now, many experts believe that #5 won't play in the MLB again.