Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was declared criminally responsible for sexually abusing a minor, yet Dominican Judge José Antonio Núñez ruled he will not serve prison time. The court found Franco was extorted by the victim's mother, who received a 10-year sentence for sexually trafficking her daughter.

Franco allegedly maintained a four-month relationship with a 14-year-old girl in 2023, transferring thousands of dollars to her mother for consent. He was arrested in January 2024 after authorities launched their investigation. The 22-year-old infielder signed an $182 million contract with Tampa Bay in November 2021, but his career derailed following these allegations.

MLB acknowledged the verdict and stated it will conclude its investigation appropriately. Franco was placed on the restricted list six months after his arrest, ending his paid administrative leave. The Rays organization now faces difficult decisions about their former franchise cornerstone heading into the final portion of his massive contract.

The case highlights how Dominican courts weighed extortion claims against the abuse itself, ultimately determining Franco was both perpetrator and victim. This legal outcome allows Franco to potentially resume his baseball career, though MLB discipline remains pending.