The Public Ministry of the Dominican Republic requested this Monday a five-year prison sentence against Major League baseball player Wander Franco, accused of sexual abuse of children against a minor. The Prosecutor's Office presented this request during the trial being held in the Puerto Plata Collegiate Court.

In addition to the prison sentence, a fine and payment of legal costs were requested. According to the Attorney General's Office, the case has 165 pieces of evidence presented during the process, which, they claim, clearly establish Franco's criminal liability, according to the EFE news agency.

The prosecution alleges that the Tampa Bay Rays player spent several days with the minor and gave her large sums of money in exchange for her silence. These amounts were allegedly used by the victim's mother to acquire personal and real property.

The victim's mother also faces charges

The teenager's mother is also on trial. She is being sought a 10-year prison sentence for sexual exploitation and money laundering. The Prosecutor's Office claims that he directly benefited from the money delivered by Franco and that he acquired a 600-square-meter plot of land, a vehicle, $2.1 million Dominican pesos in the bank, $68,500 dollars and $800,000 pesos in cash, in addition to other assets and mobile devices.

The Public Ministry requested the confiscation of all these assets, as well as the securities deposited in a bank account that is currently frozen.

According to the indictment, the events constitute violations of the Code for the Protection of Children and Adolescents, the Dominican Penal Code, and laws on human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and money laundering.

Wander Franco, 23, was one of the great promises of professional baseball. In 2021, he signed a contract for $182 million and 11 seasons with the Rays, including a five million signing bonus. However, after the accusations became known, he was removed from the team.