The player of Major Leagues Dominican Wander Franco He was sent to trial this Thursday in the case of accusations of sexual abuse of a teenagerwhile her mother will also face court for alleged exploitation of his daughter and money laundering.
The Investigative Court of the Judicial District of Puerto Plata (northern Dominican Republic) made the decision after a request in that regard supported by the Public Ministry, this organization reported in a statement.
The mother of the supposedly abused young woman is Martha Vanessa Chevalier Almonte.
Prosecutors Claudio Cordero, from the Specialized Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Prosecutor’s Office, and José Martínez Montán, from the Puerto Plata Prosecutor’s Office, highlighted the solidity of the accusation, “which was presented by the Public Ministry and evaluated by the judge. Francisco Valenzuela” to send the accused to trial.
“We understand that it is a firm accusation and the court understood it that way. The evidence presented by the Public Ministry closely links the accused with the typology described.”
The 23-year-old shortstop He faced a preliminary trial last month along with the minor’s mother.
The player could not play the Major League season with his Tampa Bay Rays team, who placed him on administrative leave last Junewhich is why they have stopped paying him his salary of two million dollars for this year.
According to preliminary investigations, The player allegedly had sexual relations with the minor since she was 14 years old and with the mother’s consent.to whom he would have given large sums of money and real estate to keep the case silent.
If found guilty, Franco could be sentenced to between 10 and 15 years in prison. just like Chevalier Almonte.
The shortstop made his debut in the Major Leagues in the 2021 season. In 1,037 at-bats he has hit 292 hits, including 30 home runs, 61 doubles, 14 triples, driving in 130 runs and scoring 164. His average in three seasons is .282.
In November 2021, Franco and Tampa Bay announced an 11-year, $182 million pact that includes a team option for the 2033 season.
The agreement with the Dominican shortstop could be worth up to $223 million if the club exercises its option and meets the incentives.
*With information from EFE.
Keep reading:
· Authorities of the Dominican Republic formally denounce Wander Franco
· Wander Franco’s mother allegedly paid the mother of a sexual exploitation victim
· Major Leagues establish administrative leave for Wander Franco until June
