Wander Franco, Tampa Bay Rays shortstop, was found guilty of sexually abusing a minor in the Dominican Republic and received a two-year suspended sentence, with conditions. The victim's mother was also convicted of trafficking her daughter. Franco maintains his innocence, and MLB is investigating potential further discipline, but his future in baseball appears uncertain due to legal and visa issues.
Baseball player Wander Franco was found guilty of sexual abuse of a minor in the Dominican Republic, receiving a two-year suspended sentence with restrictions, while his case has attracted significant media attention and MLB is investigating.
Wander Franco, a Tampa Bay Rays shortstop and former top MLB prospect, was found guilty of sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl in the Dominican Republic, receiving a two-year suspended prison sentence, which may effectively end his baseball career.
The House Ethics Committee is investigating Rep. Matt Gaetz's alleged drug use at parties in Florida after becoming a member of Congress in 2017, following a sworn statement obtained by Congress claiming that Gaetz attended a party where a minor and drugs were present. Gaetz has repeatedly denied all allegations, including the accusations that he had sex with a minor. The investigation continues to move forward, with witnesses being questioned about Gaetz's alleged drug use and his involvement in various activities.
Douglas County deputies arrested a 45-year-old substitute teacher, Erin Ward, for sexually assaulting a 17-year-old student. The incident occurred in a parked car, and both individuals were later found and taken to the hospital for minor injuries. Ward faces one count of felony sexual abuse by a school employee, and Omaha Public Schools emphasized the safety and well-being of their students, offering support for those affected and urging anyone with concerns to contact the appropriate authorities.
A woman has filed a civil lawsuit against director Roman Polanski, alleging that he raped her in 1973 when she was a minor. Polanski denies the allegations, and the lawsuit was filed under a California law that temporarily allowed claims of childhood sexual abuse after the statute of limitations had expired. The lawsuit seeks damages to be determined at trial, and a 2025 trial date has been set. Polanski has faced previous allegations of sexual abuse and fled to Europe in 1978 after being charged with drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl.
A 15-year-old boy was critically shot by a police officer outside Six Flags Over Georgia after an exchange of gunfire, with the police responding to fights breaking out among patrons leaving the park. The boy, from College Park, was taken to the hospital in critical condition, and a handgun was recovered near him. No officers were injured, and the GBI will conduct an independent investigation into the incident.
A 13-year-old boy in Denver fatally shot a 60-year-old man on a bus after an altercation about the man's leg blocking the aisle. The suspect was arrested and is being held for investigation of first-degree murder. The victim was pronounced dead at the hospital, and another person suffered a minor injury. The investigation is ongoing, and the final charges will be determined by the Denver District Attorney’s Office.
Dr. Sudipta Mohanty, 33, was found not guilty after being accused of masturbating next to a 14-year-old girl on a Hawaiian Airlines flight. The judge cleared him of any wrongdoing after a three-day trial, and Mohanty expressed relief that the ordeal was over. The minor had accused him of the lewd act, but Mohanty maintained his innocence, stating that neither he nor his fiancé could understand why the accusations were made. Despite the outcome, prosecutors expressed disappointment and emphasized their commitment to supporting victims, particularly minor children.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey will not face charges following allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a minor, as Newport Beach police concluded their investigation without finding evidence of criminal activity. The claims, which emerged on social media, alleged that Giddey was involved with a high school junior, but the police were unable to corroborate the allegations. The NBA had opened its own investigation and is continuing to review the situation.
Holli Hodges, a Beaufort County Head Start staff member, has been charged with third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor after investigators found inappropriate images of children. Hodges had at least one image of a child, and her electronic devices have been seized for examination by the South Carolina Attorney General's Office. She is currently being held in the Beaufort County Detention Center.
A boy is in critical condition after being shot in Montgomery, Alabama. The exact age of the victim has not been released, and the motive and suspect are unknown at this time. The investigation is ongoing.
A 24-year-old social worker in Ohio, Payton Shires, has been arrested for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old boy she was assigned to counsel. Shires was employed by the National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP), which provides counseling for families involved in the foster care system. The boy's mother alerted the police after finding suspicious text messages on her son's phone, leading to the discovery of a video showing the teen and Shires engaged in sexual conduct. Shires has been charged with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and is being held on a $500,000 bond. NYAP is cooperating with the police investigation.
A 40-year-old man in Henderson County, North Carolina, has been arrested and charged with incest and 40 counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. The arrest followed an investigation into reports of incest between the man and his biological daughter. Evidence, including photos and videos, was collected during the investigation, revealing instances of incest and other child sexual abuse material. The suspect is currently in custody with a secured bond of $1,600,500. Further information has been withheld pending the adjudication of the case.
A former teacher in Loranger, Louisiana, has been arrested on charges of third-degree rape, felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile, and oral sexual battery following an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct with a minor. The allegations date back to about two years ago, and the teacher resigned after reports emerged that a 17-year-old student had fathered a child with her. The teacher turned herself in to detectives after warrants were issued for her arrest.
