PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic -- Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was declared criminally responsible for the sexual and psychological abuse of a minor, but he will not serve a sentence for it, a Dominican judge ruled Monday.
In his decision, Judge José Antonio Núñez considered that Franco had been the victim of extortion and blackmail by the minor's mother, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison for sexually trafficking her daughter.
"It seems contradictory to declare criminal responsibility and, at the same time, exempt him from punishment," Núñez said. "The court has granted Wander Franco a judicial pardon due to the particular circumstances that made him a material victim, but not a legal one."
The judge justified the judicial pardon as a "logical and legal reasoning."
Franco was arrested in January 2024 after being accused of having a four-month relationship with a girl who was 14 at the time and transferring thousands of dollars to her mother to consent to the illegal relationship.
The full sentencing will be June 16.
"Thank God for everything," Franco said as he effusively embraced his mother, Nancy Aybar, and other family members who accompanied him in court.
After the ruling, Franco left the courthouse alongside his lawyer, Teodosio Jáquez, and briefly answered reporters' questions, saying, "I feel calm," and asking his fans to "continue supporting me and trusting in me."
Franco also said he had not contacted the Rays but that his lawyers had.
"We respect the legal process and the decision issued by the court," the Rays said in a statement to multiple outlets. "This is a serious matter, and our thoughts remain with those affected by the case. The Rays will continue to cooperate fully with Major League Baseball as it completes its review under the league's Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. Out of respect for the legal process and all parties involved, we will have no further comment at this time."
MLB said it "will conclude our investigation at the appropriate time."
In November 2021, Franco signed an 11-year, $182 million contract with the Rays, but his career was upended when authorities in the Dominican Republic announced in August 2023 that they were investigating him for an alleged relationship with a minor. Franco was 22 at the time.
Six months after his arrest, Tampa Bay placed him on the restricted list, which cut off the pay he had been receiving while on administrative leave.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.