An appeals court in the Dominican Republic revoked the judicial pardon of Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, upholding his conviction for sexual and psychological abuse of a minor. Prosecutors successfully argued that the original pardon misinterpreted legal provisions that apply only to exceptional circumstances. Franco, 25, was convicted in June 2025 and sentenced to three years in prison, suspended on the condition he maintains a fixed residence and judicial supervision.
He was arrested in January 2024 after allegedly having a four-month relationship with a 14-year-old girl and transferring thousands to her mother for consent. The court also upheld a 10-year sentence for the minor's mother, who was found guilty of commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering, with $34,000 forfeited. Franco retains the right to appeal to the Supreme Court of Justice.
MLB declined to comment.
Source: ESPN MLB · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing