Wander Franco Receives Judicial Pardon in Sexual Abuse Case
Puerto Plata – The Second Collegiate Tribunal of the Judicial District of Puerto Plata ruled this Monday the judicial pardon for the Major League player, Wander Franco. The decision, made by Judge José Antonio Núñez, considers Franco as a victim within the judicial process that was being followed against him for alleged sexual abuse against a minor.
Simultaneously, the court sentenced Marta Vanessa Almonte Chevalier to ten years in prison for exploitation and other crimes related to the case.
During the summary reading of the sentence, the court declared Vanessa Chevalier criminally responsible for violating Law 136-03 on the protection of children and adolescents, as well as articles of the Dominican Penal Code related to threat, extortion, and obtaining illicit funds.
The condemned woman must serve her sentence at the Women’s Correction and Rehabilitation Center, along with the payment of fines and the confiscation of assets. Among the confiscated assets are a plot of land of 600 square meters, a 2023 vehicle, cell phones, and financial certificates.
The court also ordered the transfer of a financial certificate for RD$2.1 million, issued by Banco Agrícola, in favor of the minor. These funds will remain safeguarded until the victim reaches the age of majority, in compliance with the principle of the best interests of the child.
“He was exempted from punishment because the court established that he was also a victim and therefore exempts him from punishment with judicial pardon,”
Wander Franco’s defense explained that the judicial pardon was applied after determining that the player was also affected by the circumstances of the process, which does not constitute a criminal conviction against him.
The baseball player’s lawyers have indicated that they will wait for the full sentence to assess whether to appeal the decision to higher authorities.
The ruling marks the closure of one of the most followed judicial cases in the Dominican Republic, due to the international impact and the notoriety of the Major League player.
