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Sexual abuse

Franco's Attorney Seeks Exoneration in Puerto Plata Sex Abuse Case

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Attorney Teodosio Jáquez is seeking exoneration for Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco in a sex abuse case involving a 14-year-old girl. Franco, who is on supervised release, faces up to 30 years in prison if found guilty. The prosecution alleges that Franco sexually abused the minor and paid her mother money for her consent. Franco's attorney claims that the player did not commit the alleged acts and that the prosecution has not provided sufficient proof.

Key Takeaways:

  • Franco's attorney, Teodosio Jáquez, is seeking exoneration for his client in a sex abuse case involving a 14-year-old girl.
  • Franco faces up to 30 years in prison if found guilty.
  • The prosecution alleges that Franco sexually abused the minor and paid her mother money for her consent.
  • Franco's attorney claims that the player did not commit the alleged acts and that the prosecution has not provided sufficient proof.
  • The case involves allegations of commercial exploitation, money laundering, and human trafficking.
  • Franco has also been charged with illegal possession of a handgun, which his attorney claims belongs to someone else.
  • The investigation and subsequent charges were sparked by a complaint filed last year, which contained allegations that Franco transferred $17,000 to the mother of the minor to consent to the abuse.

Statistics:

  • Franco faces up to 30 years in prison if found guilty.
  • The alleged incident occurred in 2023, when the minor was 14 years old.
  • Franco transferred 1 million pesos ($17,000) to the mother of the minor on Jan. 5, 2023, according to documents presented by the prosecution.
  • The minor's mother has been charged with money laundering and is under house arrest.
  • Franco was placed on Major League Baseball's restricted list in August 2023, after initially being placed on administrative leave in November 2021.

Sources:

  • Puerto La Plata, Dominican Republic (AP) — The attorney for Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco said Monday he will ask the court to exonerate his client involving a girl who was 14 years old at the time of the alleged crimes. (AP)
  • Franco, and is on supervised release, could face up to 30 years in prison if found guilty. “He didn’t commit the acts he’s accused of,” Teodosio Jáquez told The Associated Press at the end of the fourth hearing at the Collegiate Court of Puerto Plata... (AP)
  • Documents that prosecutors presented to the judge last year and were viewed by The Associated Press alleged that Franco, through his mother Yudelka Aybar, transferred 1 million pesos ($17,000) to the mother of the minor on Jan. 5, 2023, to consent to the purported abuse. (AP)
  • Franco also has been charged with sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking. Also, on Sunday he was charged with illegal possession of a handgun, prosecutors said. (AP)

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