The noose is beginning to tighten around Tampa Bay Rays player Wander Franco, who faces serious charges in the Dominican Republic related to an inappropriate relationship with an underage girl.
On Wednesday evening, the 22-year-old was charged with commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering, the Puerto Plata public prosecutor's office said in a statement. He will face a judge for the first time Friday morning.
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In August, a 14-year-old girl said on social media that she was in a relationship with Franco. A police investigation was launched and a second report was filed. On December 26, the City of San Domingo's Department of Child and Youth Safety conducted two searches, but the athlete was not found.
Franco finally turned himself in voluntarily to the prosecutor's office a few days later, was detained for refusing to comply with a subpoena and interrogated for three hours.
The Rays prospect hasn't played since August and finished the season with 58 RBIs in 112 games and a .281 batting average. He participated in the 2023 All-Star Game.
After his rookie season, Franco signed a massive 11-year, $182 million contract in November 2021.