Wander Franco Conviction Upheld as Appeals Court Revokes Judicial Pardon
Dominican court imposes three-year suspended sentence following the reversal of Franco's previous legal pardon.
1Appeals Court Reverses Pardon
On October 29, 2026, an appeals court in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, revoked the judicial pardon previously granted to Wander Franco. The court upheld his conviction for the sexual and psychological abuse of a minor. Franco received a three-year suspended prison sentence, replacing the earlier exemption from punishment granted in May 2026.
2Prosecution Challenges Legal Relief
The Public Prosecutor's Office successfully argued that the initial pardon relied on an incorrect interpretation of the law. Prosecutors maintained that the legal provisions for such relief were intended for exceptional circumstances inapplicable to this case. While the prosecution sought a five-year term, the judges opted for a three-year suspended sentence instead.
3Conditions of Suspended Sentence
Franco must maintain a fixed residence and remain under strict judicial supervision to avoid immediate imprisonment. The court imposed specific restrictions regarding contact with the victim and her frequented locations. Any breach of these judicial requirements could result in the immediate activation of the full three-year prison term for the former athlete.
4Co-Defendant Conviction and Forfeiture
The appeals court also upheld a ten-year prison sentence against the victim's mother for commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering. Judges ordered the forfeiture of 2.1 million Dominican pesos, approximately 34,000 dollars, recovered from her. These funds were identified as payments from Franco in exchange for consent to the relationship with her daughter.
5Professional Career Remains Stalled
Wander Franco has not played in Major League Baseball since August 2023, when authorities first launched their investigation. He remains on the league's restricted list following his January 2024 arrest. The current conviction creates significant uncertainty regarding his future, as he is currently unable to participate in professional baseball activities within the United States.
6Visa and Immigration Hurdles
Legal experts suggest the conviction could complicate Franco's ability to obtain the necessary work visa for a return to the United States. While no official immigration decision has been confirmed, the criminal record presents a substantial barrier. Major League Baseball has declined to comment on how this specific ruling impacts his standing with the league.
7Contractual and League Status
Franco signed an 11-year contract worth 182 million dollars in November 2021, which is now effectively frozen. The Tampa Bay Rays have not seen him on the field since the initial allegations surfaced in 2023. MLB maintains its own independent disciplinary authority, which operates separately from the ongoing legal proceedings in the Dominican Republic.
8Future Legal Appeals Expected
Defence lawyer Teodosio Jáquez Encarnación stated that the team plans to appeal the decision to the Dominican Republic's Supreme Court of Justice. The defence is currently awaiting the full written ruling to finalize their strategy. Until further notice, the conviction stands, and Franco remains subject to the conditions set by the appeals court.