An appeals court in the Dominican Republic on Thursday overturned a judicial pardon previously granted to Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, reaffirming his conviction for sexual and psychological abuse of a minor. The decision follows prosecutors’ objections that the initial pardon was improperly applied under legal provisions intended solely for exceptional cases.
Franco, 25, was originally convicted in June 2025 for engaging in an illegal relationship with a 14-year-old girl and transferring thousands of dollars to her mother to secure consent. The appeals court ruling effectively maintains Franco’s suspended three-year prison sentence, under the condition that he resides at a fixed address and remains under judicial supervision. Should he fail to comply, he will be required to serve the full sentence.
The prosecution argued that the lower court misapplied the legal standards surrounding pardons, which are meant for rare and extraordinary situations, none of which pertain to Franco’s case. Franco’s legal team contested this motion, but the appellate court sided with the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Franco was arrested in January 2024 after authorities began investigating allegations of the inappropriate relationship. Following his conviction, Tampa Bay placed him on the restricted list in December 2025, suspending his salary and administrative leave status. He has not played in Major League Baseball since. The Rays were eliminated from the World Series on Wednesday by the Milwaukee Brewers.
The court’s decision also upheld a 10-year prison sentence for the minor’s mother, who was convicted of commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering. She was ordered to forfeit approximately $34,000, representing money provided by Franco in exchange for approval of the illegal relationship.
Franco signed an 11-year, $182 million contract with Tampa Bay in November 2021, but his career was suspended after the investigation was announced in August 2023. Both Franco and his legal representatives declined to comment after Thursday’s hearing. Major League Baseball also declined to issue a statement.
Franco retains the right to appeal the appellate court’s ruling to the Supreme Court of Justice of the Dominican Republic. Prosecutors emphasized their commitment to pursuing justice, citing the multiple trials and extensive evidence that supported their charges against both Franco and the minor’s mother.