Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco is set to stand trial in the Dominican Republic on Thursday in a sexual abuse case involving a 14-year-old girl. The 23-year-old Franco, who was having an All-Star season in 2023, faces charges of sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking.
The investigation, which lasted over a year, led to Judge Pascual Valenzuela ruling that there was enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial. Prosecutors allege that Franco transferred $17,000 to the minor's mother for her consent to the abuse. The mother has been charged with money laundering and is under house arrest.
