Wander Franco gives a passionate plea as a shameful MLB star arrives for the first day of sexual abuse.

Wander Franco appealed to the court for the first time on Monday when the trial of sexual abuse against him began in the Dominican Republic.

The former star Tampa Bay Rays is confronted with accusations of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation against a small and human trafficking.

Now 24, he had an All-Star season in 2023 before Dominican authorities started to investigate accusations that he had had a relationship with a minor and her mother paid thousands of dollars for her permission.

The case went to court on Monday after officers of justice in the Dominican Republic reportedly claimed to have ‘conclusive evidence’ against the baseball star.

But the jury members speeches for the first time in Puerto Plata, Franco seemed to maintain his innocence while he called for justice.

‘I have heard everything they say [in the indictment]But all I am going to say is that I hope that justice will be done, “said the shortstop, via ESPNs Enrique Rojas.

He is confronted with accusations of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation against a minor and human trafficking

During the first part of the hearing, the Dominican authorities recorded their arguments against the former MLB player.

“Franco Aybar kidnapped the victim for sexual purposes for several days in the municipality of Villa Montellano, in the province of Puerto Plata,” the prosecutors repeated.

“(He) then sent large sums of money to her mother (also under charging) to prevent her from reporting.” They claimed that the money was used to buy real estate.

Officers of Justice repeatedly claimed that for eight months Franco maintained a relationship of sexual exploitation and abuse with the minor. They argued that the mother of the minor benefited from money payments in exchange for maintaining her silence during that period.

When the Franco defense team took the position, his lawyers argued that the prosecution had no evidence to connect their client with the crimes he is being accused of. They further claimed that the accusation is poor.

The mother of the alleged victim will also be tried on accusation of sexual exploitation and money laundering.

After an investigation that lasted more than a year, Judge Pascual Valenzuela ruled last September that the evidence was worthy that the case moved to the trial.

“It is a solid accusation and the court understood,” said the judiciary Claudio Cordero at the time. “The evidence has associated the defendants with what is described in the accusation.”

If convicted, Franco can be sentenced to 20 years in prison. He is also confronted with individual gun -related charges in the Dominican Republic and can undergo bars behind bars if they are convicted.

If it is convicted, Dominican in Franco – who is now 24 – can be sentenced to 20 years in prison

The authorities claim that Franco transferred 1 million pesos (or $ 17,000) to the mother of the minor through his mother Yudelka Aybar on January 5, 2023 to give permission for the abuse.

Officers of Justice say that the mother of the minor went from a bank employee to leading a flashy life and acquiring assets with the help of the funds she received from Franco. During raids at the mother’s mother’s house, prosecutors say they have found $ 68,500 and $ 35,000 that they claim to have been delivered by Franco.

After the hearing in September, Franco said “Everything is in God’s hands.” Otherwise he refused to talk to the media.

Franco, who signed a $ 182 million contract in 2021, 11 years with the Rays, was also arrested in November for the illegal of a gun in his vehicle. It followed an argument in a parking lot for apartment complex.

The firearm was registered under the name Franco’s Uncle and one of the MLB star lawyers said because the gun has a license: “There is nothing illegal about it.”