Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was found criminally responsible for the sexual and psychological abuse of a minor by a judge in the Dominican Republic on Monday. He received a judicial pardon and will not serve a prison sentence.
The ruling came after Franco stood trial before a new panel of judges following the reversal of a prior conviction from last June. That earlier decision had imposed a two-year suspended sentence. Full sentencing in the current case is scheduled for June 16, and the conviction will remain on his record despite the pardon.
