Wander Franco Sentenced for Abuse: Court Issues Sentence Without Effective Imprisonment
Puerto Plata – Dominican baseball player Wander Franco has been sentenced for sexual and psychological abuse against a minor. The Collegiate Court of Puerto Plata issued the sentence this Monday, although it determined that Franco will not serve effective prison time for the case.
The court decision also includes a three-year prison sentence for Vanesa Chevalier, mother of the involved teenager, for acts that violate the Penal Code.
During the reading of the sentence, the court highlighted that Franco was considered both the accused and a collateral victim due to alleged economic extortions by the minor’s mother.
“The court understands that in this process the defendant was also a victim of the circumstances presented,” said the president of the court when explaining the decision.
The court dismissed the charge of criminal association filed by the Public Prosecutor’s Office, arguing that the conduct attributed was limited to a single person.
The Public Ministry had requested a five-year prison sentence for the Major League player, in addition to the payment of ten minimum wages. For Chevalier, it requested a sentence of ten years.
The court was composed of magistrates José Ramón Núñez, Jenny Amarilis Martínez and Praire Ruiz.
Additionally, the court ordered the delivery to the minor of a financial certificate of RD$2.1 million, deposited in the Banco Agrícola, upon reaching the age of majority.
Currently, Franco is under administrative leave from Major League Baseball, while his legal and professional situation continues to develop. The shortstop belongs to the Tampa Bay Rays.
The judicial process was sent back for a new trial after, in December 2025, the Court of Appeals of the Judicial Department of Puerto Plata annulled the first sentence issued.
