South Florida Local News

Today is Friday, June 27, the 178th day of 2025. There are 187 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On June 27, 1957, Hurricane Audrey slammed into coastal Louisiana and Texas as a Category 4 storm, causing as many as 600 deaths.

Also on this date:

In 1844, Mormon leader Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum, were killed by a mob in Carthage, Illinois.

Related Articles

• Home reportedly owned by Brad Pitt was ransacked by burglars, police say
• Judge blocks Georgia’s social media age verification law, citing free speech concerns
• Louisiana is latest state to redefine natural gas — a planet-warming fossil fuel — as green energy
• Windows’ infamous ‘blue screen of death’ will soon turn black
• Super Bowl halftime performer arrested after police say he held flag stating ‘Sudan and Free Gaza’

In 1950, the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution calling on member nations to help South Korea repel an invasion from the North.

In 1991, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, the first Black jurist to sit on the nation’s highest court, announced his retirement.

In 2005, BTK serial killer Dennis Rader pleaded guilty to 10 murders that had spread fear across Wichita, Kansas, beginning in the 1970s.

In 2006, a constitutional amendment to ban desecration of the American flag died in a U.S. Senate cliff-hanger, falling one vote short of the 67 needed to send it to states for ratification.

In 2011, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was convicted by a federal jury in Chicago on a wide range of corruption charges, including the allegation that he’d tried to sell or trade President Barack Obama’s U.S. Senate seat. (Blagojevich was later sentenced to 14 years in prison; his sentence was commuted by President Donald Trump in February 2020, and he received a full and unconditional pardon from Trump in February 2025.)

In 2018, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, whose vote often decided cases on abortion, gay rights and other contentious issues, announced his retirement.

In 2022, in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, the Supreme Court ruled that a high school football coach who sought to kneel and pray on the field after games was protected by the First Amendment.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Musician Bruce Johnston (The Beach Boys) is 83.
• Fashion designer Norma Kamali is 80.
• Fashion designer Vera Wang is 76.
• Actor Julia Duffy is 74.
• Actor Isabelle Adjani is 70.
• Cinematographer Janusz Kamiński is 66.
• Country singer Lorrie Morgan is 66.
• Actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai is 63.
• Writer-producer-director J.J. Abrams is 59.
• Actor Tobey Maguire is 50.
• Reality TV star Khloé Kardashian is 41.
• Actor Sam Claflin is 39.
• Actor Ed Westwick is 38.
• NFL linebacker Bobby Wagner is 35.
• Actor Madylin Sweeten (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) is 34.
• Singer-songwriter H.E.R. is 28.
• Actor Chandler Riggs (“The Walking Dead”) is 26.

A disturbance arose on Thursday night over the the east coast of Belize and the Yucatan peninsula, though it was given a low chance of development.

The National Hurricane Center described it at 8 p.m. on Thursday as an area of showers and thunderstorms over the northwestern Caribbean sea and adjacent land areas which was expected to move west-northwestward into the Bay of Campeche sometime Saturday.

A low pressure area could form after that time if the system remains over water, but the chance of development over the next 48 hours was listed as 10% with the seven-day likelihood at 20%.

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season got its first named storm of the year on Tuesday, when Tropical Storm Andrea formed and quickly dissipated in the Central Atlantic Ocean.

In most years, the Atlantic hurricane season has generated at least one storm by this time, more than three weeks into hurricane season, and Andrea represented the latest since 2014 that tropical activity hasn’t bred a tracked system to start a season. That year, the first tropical depression didn’t form until June 30.

MIAMI — In the wake of going without a selection in Thursday night’s second round of the NBA draft, the Miami Heat swiftly moved to sign undrafted Michigan center Vladislav Goldin, the former Final Four Florida Atlantic Owl, to a two-way contract.

Teams are allowed to sign up to three players to two-way contracts, deals that pay half the NBA minimum salary and allow players to be on active rosters for 50 of the 82 regular-season games.

As of Thursday night, Goldin stood as the lone prospect signed to a two-way contract by the Heat for next season, although the Heat has a qualifying offer in place to return guard Dru Smith on such a deal for 2025-26.

The Heat closed this past season with Smith, Isaiah Stevens and Josh Christopher on two-way deals, with Christopher no longer eligible for such a contract due to the length of his NBA tenure.

Neither Stevens nor Christopher are listed on the Heat’s roster for summer league, likely indicating their departures.

The Heat are well familiar with Goldin, having held their training camps on Florida Atlantic University’s Boca Raton Campus.

Goldin’s addition provides the Heat depth in a power rotation that has Bam Adebayo, Kel’el Ware, Nikola Jovic and Kevin Love currently under standard contracts.

The pre-draft profile at NBA.com said of Goldin, “Goldin’s collegiate track record speaks for itself. The big man dominated at every step in a variety of ways and is an intriguing older prospect that could contribute right away. He’s got great footwork in the post, an array of moves and can finish with both hands. However, he’s a more efficient player when rolling or popping after setting a ball screen. Goldin is also a menace on the glass, offensively and defensively, which should be his best trait as a professional. Defensively, Goldin will anchor the paint and protect the rim.”

The Athletic’s draft preview wrote of Goldin. “Goldin has an interesting profile that could lead to him turning into a backup center in the NBA. He has good hands, has some skill level around the rim and is defensively viable in drop coverage against ball screens. He’s also absolutely enormous. It’s hard to overstate how important it is that he’s a legitimate 7-footer with a 7-foot-5 wingspan. That gives him potential to take up enough space in ball screens defensively while also having potential to finish over the top of NBA size.”

While rosters for summer league can be fluid, with non-contract players at times switching between teams over the course of the summer schedules, the Heat on Thursday night listed a summer roster of:

Related Articles

• Heat go without selection in Thursday night’s second round of NBA draft; roster set or fluid?
• How Kasparas Jakucionis fell into Heat’s draft lap, ‘We didn’t think he would be there’
• Grades on Heat first-rounder Kasparas Jakucionis range from A to D+
• ASK IRA: Does VanVleet contract offer Heat a lesson in drawing the line when required?
• Miami Heat select Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis at No. 20 in NBA draft

– Heat 2025 first-round pick Kasparas Jakucionis, the playmaking guard taken No. 20 pick out of Illinois on Wednesday night.

– Heat 2024 first-round pick Kel’el Ware, the 7-footer taken at No. 15 last June out of Indiana who was named second-team All-Rookie this past season.

– Heat 2024 second-round pick Pelle Larsson, the guard out of Arizona who saw spot rotation minutes this past season.

— Heat 2024-25 player Keshad Johnson, the forward who went undrafted out of Arizona last June and was converted from a Heat two-way contract to a standard deal in December.

– Heat 2024-25 G League player Bryson Warren, who was a member of last summer’s Heat championship roster at the Las Vegas NBA Summer League.

– Heat 2025-25 G League player JC Butler, the son of Heat assistant coach Caron Butler.

– 2024-25 G League players Kira Lewis, Erik Stevenson, Myron Gardner and Javonte Cook, who spent this past season on G League rosters other than the Heat’s.

– Undrafted Michigan center Vladimir Goldin.

– Undrafted University of San Francisco guard Marcus Williams

– Undrafted Temple forward Steve Settle III

– Undrafted Memphis forward Dain Daina

– Undrafted Indiana center Oumar Ballo

MIAMI — As expected, the Miami Heat sat out Thursday night’s second round of the NBA draft, after entering the night without a selection.

The Heat had the ability to purchase a selection, but, by rule, by sending out cash in such a transaction it would have hard-capped the team at the second-apron of the NBA luxury tax for the entire 2025-26 season.

Instead, next up is the free-for-all that follows the draft as teams stock summer rosters with undrafted free agents.

The Heat pick in Thursday night’s second round was dealt in 2019 to the Indiana Pacers as part of a package of three future second-round picks for the draft rights of KZ Okpala.

At what would have been the Heat’s No. 41 slot, the Phoenix Suns, who acquired the pick earlier Thursday, selected Kentucky guard Koby Brea.

Last year, for the first time since 2019, the Heat actually emerged from the second round with a selection, acquiring the second-round rights to No. 44 pick Pelle Larsson, the guard out of Arizona.

This time around, as in 2023, ’22, ’21 and ’20, the Heat went without a second-round pick.

Among the factors – beyond the prospect of a hard cap – in sitting out Thursday night’s second round was the Heat already with a packed roster at the moment.

With teams allowed to carry up to 15 players under standard contract during the regular season, the Heat currently count 14 players toward that total: Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Haywood Highsmith, Kyle Anderson, Duncan Robinson, Kevin Love, Terry Rozier, Keshad Johnson, Wednesday night’s first-round pick Kasparas Jakucionis  and Larsson.

Should restricted free agent Davion Mitchell return, that would put the Heat at the 15-player standard-contract maximum, unless there is a trade or Robinson unexpectedly invokes his early-termination option by Sunday’s 6 p.m. deadline.

Related Articles

• Heat agree to two-way contract with undrafted former FAU center Vlad Goldin
• How Kasparas Jakucionis fell into Heat’s draft lap, ‘We didn’t think he would be there’
• Grades on Heat first-rounder Kasparas Jakucionis range from A to D+
• ASK IRA: Does VanVleet contract offer Heat a lesson in drawing the line when required?
• Miami Heat select Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis at No. 20 in NBA draft

For the Heat, it is now somewhat of a rapid turnaround between Thursday night’s conclusion of the draft and the start of their two summer leagues, to open play at the California Classic on July 5 at Chase Center in San Francisco on the court of the Golden State Warriors.

Beyond those to be added in the wake of the draft from this year’s draft class, among those expected back for summer league for the Heat are Larsson, Ware, Johnson and possibly 2024-25 two-way player Isaiah Stevens, who is a free agent. The Heat’s summer roster will again be guided by assistant coach Eric Glass.

Following play at the California Classic, which features four teams, the Heat will move on to the July 10-20 Las Vegas NBA Summer League, which features summer rosters from all 30 teams.

GAINESVILLE — Florida guard Alijah Martin was positioned for a good night when the NBA invited him to the green room for the second round of the draft.

The odds backcourt mate Will Richard would hear his name called were not nearly as favorable.

By night’s end, the Gators’ national championship backcourt completed the trifecta.

Martin didn’t have to wait too long Thursday night at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, landing with the Toronto Raptors just nine picks into the second round in the No. 39 spot. With four picks to go in two-round, 60-player event, Richard landed with the Golden State Warriors after the Memphis Grizzlies selected him at No. 56 and traded him, similar to the fate of  Walter Clayton Jr. a night earlier.

Florida guard Alijah Martin celebrates after a slam dunk during the NCAA Final Four college basketball game of Florida versus Auburn at the Alamodome in San Antonio Texas on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Florida won the game 79-73 to advance to the championship game. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

ESPN caught up with an emotional Martin following his selection.

“It’s a bunch of emotions, excited, nervous,” he said. “Just ready to get to the next level and show what I can do.”

Undersized at 6-foot-2, but a strong and explosive 215 pounds, Martin’s role in the Gators’ national championship success along with strong workouts for NBA teams placed him in the second round of many mock drafts.

Clayton was the 18th player selected Wednesday when Washington drafted him, and then immediately traded him to the Utah Jazz. Going in the top-20 was higher than expected, but everyone figured Clayton as a first-rounder following his remarkable postseason concluded with the school’s third national championship.

Martin and Richard played critical roles themselves, or else the Gators would have been denied along the way.

Martin had 14 points in the first half on 6-of-9 shooting to keep UF close to two-time defending national champion UConn during the second round. Richard then had 13 in the second half of a 77-75 come-from-behind win highlighted by Clayton’s clutch play in the final minutes.

Martin combined for 14 rebounds during wins in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight, respectively, against Maryland and Texas Tech, two teams with strong inside games to match the Gators. During a 65-63 win against Houston in the national title, Richard kept the Gators afloat with 14 points during a first-half struggle ending with UF trailing 31-28.

Florida guard Will Richards (5) shoots during the NCAA Final Four college basketball game of Florida versus Auburn at the Alamodome in San Antonio Texas on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Florida won the game 79-73 to advance to the championship game. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Yet, Martin and Richard’s postseason performance did not ensure either a shot in the NBA.

Yahoo Sports projected Martin to go No. 37 to the Detroit Pistons, describing Martin as “a hyper-athletic, high-energy guard who plays bigger than his size and impacts the game with his toughness, rebounding and defensive grit.”

The Web site had Martin higher than anyone, but was not far off its prediction about the versatile and tireless Mississippi native who helped FAU to the Final Four before he transferred in 2024 to UF, where he immediately and infused a new attitude on defense that was critical to a 36-win season and the school’s third national title.

Martin was second to Clayton averaging 14.4 points, to go with 4.5 rebounds a night, 56 total steals and the ability to handle the toughest defensive assignment on the perimeter.

The 6-foot-4, 206-pound Richard offers more length and superior shooting ability — he made 201 3s during three seasons at UF. He also Gators with 69 steals.

Richard, though, did not consistently slip into any mock drafts, hinting he likely would end up an undrafted free agent. Instead, he will head to Golden State with a chance to play with legend Steph Curry and coach Steve Kerr, winners of four NBA titles since 2015.

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

MIAMI (AP) — A Canadian man being held by immigration officials in South Florida has died in federal custody, officials said.

Related Articles

• Miami-Dade deputy accused of kidnapping, domestic violence in Broward County
• Boynton Beach to pay $300,000 settlement after 2016 police pursuit that killed 5-year-old
• West Palm Beach officers fired after chase that killed mother, pregnant daughter in Boynton
• Sensory-Inclusive Season starts on stages managed by the Broward Center
• Memorial Healthcare plans $670M expansion to 72-year-old flagship Broward hospital

Johnny Noviello, 49, died Monday afternoon at the Bureau of Prisons Federal Detention Center in Miami, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement press release said. The cause of death was under investigation.

Noviello was being detained pending removal from the U.S., officials said. He entered the U.S. in 1988 on a legal visa and became a lawful permanent resident in 1991. He was convicted of drug trafficking and other charges in 2023 and sentenced to a year in prison, officials said.

Noviello was picked up by ICE agents at his probation office last month and charged with removability because of his drug conviction, authorities said.

Seven other immigration detainees have died in federal custody this year, with 11 deaths reported in 2024.

General Daily Insight for June 27, 2025

This is a day when we all ought to say what we mean and mean what we say. The Moon kicks things off by jumping into expressive Leo, so we’ll probably be happy to find ourselves in the spotlight, literally or metaphorically. We won’t be able to keep a lid on it when the Moon conjoins chatty Mercury! However, it is important to remember that words carry weight when Mercury trines stoic Saturn in Aries at 11:52 pm EDT. Avoid gossip and unnecessary blabbing.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

You have a voice, and you ought to use it. Mercury in your 5th House of Creativity is reaching out for a lovely trine to masterful Saturn, currently touring your 1st House of Self-Expression. This alignment wants you to refine the way you express yourself, but refining does not mean “stymying” or “watering down.” Rather, this is an opportunity to be unapologetically authentic, one which will allow you to show yourself in a better light to the world. Do not hide your talents!

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Don’t attempt to keep your emotions to yourself. There is profound inner work to be done, due to Mercury in your 4th House of Foundations trining Saturn in your 12th House of Release. This aspect shows off your depth, motivating you to dive into darkness. Some old issues may need to be brought to the surface so that you can let go of them, once and for all. You should feel worlds lighter for the effort. Gift yourself that sense of relief.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Allow others to show you the way forward. A special trine between your ruler, Mercury, in your chatter zone, and karmic Saturn in your networking sector is encouraging you to connect with others. Give them the space to influence your life in positive and meaningful ways, though the conversation could be complicated. At any moment, someone may tell you something pivotal that changes your whole outlook. Trust that people mean well, even if they don’t tell you exactly what you want to hear.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

The work you do now is potentially more important than ever. You are in a grounded frame of mind with mental Mercury in your income sector, and that can have a far-reaching impact as the messenger planet trines masterful Saturn in your work zone. They’re helping you secure success both now and in the long run. A project you’ve been hammering away at may finally be ready for a reveal, or perhaps a VIP finally recognizes your previous work. Your accomplishments deserve to be rewarded.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

It isn’t a bad idea to consider your words carefully before you speak them. It will be tempting to say anything and everything while verbose Mercury is in your 1st House of Action, giving you the gift of gab. Opposingly, Mercury’s harmonious alignment with mature Saturn in your 9th House of Higher Learning wants you to say solely what truly matters and carries weight. Being flippant could come back to haunt you! People will remember where you showed discretion — and where you didn’t.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Have faith that you know what is best. Mischievous Mercury is swimming along through your subconscious sector, sending you signals from somewhere you can’t quite see. At this time, it’s coordinating with Saturn in your transformational 8th house, showing you a few unexpected opportunities. It may seem like you’re being put to some sort of test without knowing why or having to deal with an esoteric pop quiz all of a sudden. You can ace this exam with flying colors!

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Relationships require communication, regardless of what kind of relationship they are. You are in a very outgoing period while Mercury is in your 11th House of Social Engagements. In contrast, that planet is trining Saturn in your 7th House of Cooperation, highlighting the benefits of connecting with one or two particularly important people. Instead of trying to round up the gang, take a moment away from the herd for some one-on-one time. Make a special point to treat others how you wish to be treated.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

You can reach the finish line — one step at a time. A special trine between Mercury in your 10th House of Professional Aims and Saturn in your 6th House of Effort is reminding you not to overthink your path to success. Instead, simply put one foot in front of the other, over and over again. If you feel daunted by the tasks ahead, break them down into smaller steps. That should help you handle them without breaking too much of a sweat.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

There is no point in keeping quiet right now. Your mind is buzzing with ideas and possibilities while Mercury flies through your 9th House of Enlightenment, while its trine to Saturn in your 5th House of Fun will remind you that those ideas don’t necessarily need to be grounded in serious reality. Let your imagination out to play! You can experience some incredible realizations and epiphanies when you don’t attempt to control the outcome. Give your mind the space to wander to parts unknown.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

It is a good day to get serious. You are prepared to dive into rather intense topics while Mercury is in your all-or-nothing 8th house. Additionally, that talkative planet is trining Saturn in your sentimental 4th house, encouraging honesty and integrity. You can have meaningful conversations more readily than normal, knowing they should have productive outcomes. Even if the topic is a bit daunting, you can handle it with grace while Saturn is backing you up from the base of your chart.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

It only takes one person to change your day for the better. A rare trine between Mercury in your collaboration sector and Saturn in your local community sector is encouraging you to get out of the house and make an effort to link up with your preferred people. You can have a genuinely cathartic experience by merely bopping around town with a close friend or two. Just let yourselves chatter away! This simple act of communication should do wonders for your overall emotional wellness.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Your efficiency is off the charts today! Cosmic communicator Mercury in your capable 6th house is trining Saturn in your financially-focused 2nd house. You aren’t going to be interested in wasting your time, one way or another. A co-worker or client could prove quite helpful — for instance, by showing you a unique way of handling an issue that’s more effective than you’d ever imagine. Likewise, you can likely make quick work of any outstanding projects that have been idling on the sidelines.

By BERNARD CONDON

NEW YORK (AP) — When the Trump family unveiled a new phone before a giant American flag at its headquarters earlier this month, the pitch was simple and succinct, packed with pure patriotism: “Made in the U.S.A.”

Related Articles

• Judge blocks Georgia’s social media age verification law, citing free speech concerns
• Windows’ infamous ‘blue screen of death’ will soon turn black
• ‘A purpose in this world’: Older adults fear elimination of program that helps them find work
• As ICE raids intensify, how do employers know if their workers are legal?
• Families and businesses are concerned about the effect of tariffs on youth sports

The Trumps are apparently having second thoughts.

How about “proudly American”?

Those are the two words that have replaced the “Made in the USA” pitch that just a few days ago appeared on the website where customers can pre-order the so-called T-1 gold-toned phones with an American flag etched on the back. Elsewhere on the site, other vague terms are now being used, describing the $499 phone as boasting an “American-Proud Design” and “brought to life right here in the U.S.A.”

The Federal Trade Commission requires that items labeled “Made in USA” be “all or virtually all” produced in the U.S. and several firms have been sued over misusing the term.

The Trump Organization has not explained the change and has not responded to a request for comment. Neither did an outside public relations firm handling the Trumps’ mobile phone business, including a request to confirm a statement made to another media outlet.

“T1 phones are proudly being made in America,” said Trump Mobile spokesman Chris Walker, according to USA Today. “Speculation to the contrary is simply inaccurate.”

The language change on the website was first reported by the news site The Verge.

An expert on cell phone technology, IDC analyst Francisco Jeronimo, said he’s not surprised the Trump family has dropped the “Made in the USA” label because it’s nearly impossible to build one here given the higher cost and lack of infrastructure to do so.

But, of course, you can claim to do it.

“Whether it is possible or not to build this phone in the US depends on what you consider ‘build,’” Jeronimo said. “If it’s a question of assembling components and targeting small volumes, I suppose it’s somehow possible. You can always get the components from China and assemble them by hand somewhere.”

“You’re going to have phones that are made right here in the United States of America,” said Trump’s son Eric to Fox News recently, adding, “It’s about time we bring products back to our great country.”

The Trump family has flown the American flag before with Trump-branded products of suspicious origin, including its “God Bless the USA” Bibles, which an Associated Press investigation last year showed were printed in China.

The Trump phone is part of a bigger family mobile business plan designed to tap into MAGA enthusiasm for the president. The two sons running the business, Eric and Don Jr., announced earlier this month that they would offer mobile phone plans for $47.45 a month, a reference to their father’s status as the 45th and 47th president. The call center, they said, will be in the U.S., too.

“You’re not calling up call centers in Bangladesh,” Eric Trump said on Fox News. “We’re doing it out of St. Louis, Missouri.”

The new service has been blasted by government ethics experts for a conflict of interest, given that President Donald Trump oversees the Federal Communications Commission that regulates the business and is investigating phone service companies that are now Trump Mobile rivals.

Trump has also threatened to punish cell phone maker Apple, now a direct competitor, threatening to slap 25% tariffs on devices because of its plans to make most of its U.S. iPhones in India.

By ITZEL LUNA

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Police are investigating a break-in at a home reportedly owned by Brad Pitt, who has been on a globe-spanning promo tour for his new movie, “F1.”

Related Articles

• Judge blocks Georgia’s social media age verification law, citing free speech concerns
• Louisiana is latest state to redefine natural gas — a planet-warming fossil fuel — as green energy
• Windows’ infamous ‘blue screen of death’ will soon turn black
• Super Bowl halftime performer arrested after police say he held flag stating ‘Sudan and Free Gaza’
• Bill Moyers, the former White House press secretary turned acclaimed TV journalist, dead at 91

The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed they responded to a break-in Wednesday night at a house on the 2300 block of North Edgemont Street in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Three suspects broke into the residence through the front window, ransacked the home and fled with miscellaneous property, said Officer Drake Madison.

Madison said he could not identify who owned or lived in the home, and no information is currently available on what was stolen.

Pitt reportedly bought the home for $5.5 million in April 2023, according to Traded, a commercial real estate website.

A Pitt representative declined comment.

Pitt has been out of the country on a promotional tour for the “F1” movie. He attended the international premiere in London on Monday. The movie will be in U.S. theaters Friday.

The burglary was first reported Thursday by NBC News.

By MARTÍN ADAMES

PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (AP) — Wander Franco, the suspended Tampa Bay Rays shortstop charged in a sexual abuse case, was found guilty on Thursday but received a two-year suspended sentence.

Related Articles

• Today in History: June 27, Hurricane Audrey makes Gulf Coast landfall
• US signs agreements with Guatemala and Honduras to take asylum seekers
• FACT FOCUS: Posts misrepresent report to falsely claim nearly 400,000 Palestinians are missing
• Experts and officials are still assessing what remains of Iran’s nuclear program
• 7 Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza, in grim reminder that one war’s end leaves another grinding on

Franco was arrested last year after being accused of having a four-month relationship with a girl who was 14 at the time, and of transferring thousands of dollars to her mother to consent to the illegal relationship.

Franco, now 24, also faced charges of sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking, but was found not guilty of those.

Judge Jakayra Veras García said Franco made a bad decision as she addressed him during the ruling.

“Look at us, Wander,” she said. “Do not approach minors for sexual purposes. If you don’t like people very close to your age, you have to wait your time.”

Prosecutors had requested a five-year prison sentence against Franco and a 10-year sentence against the girl’s mother, who was found guilty and will serve the full term.

“Apparently she was the one who thought she was handling the bat in the big leagues,” Veras said of the mother and her request that Franco pay for her daughter’s schooling and other expenses.

Franco’s attorney, Irina Ventura, said she would appeal the judge’s ruling: “Evidently, justice was not done.”

Meanwhile, prosecutor Luis Martínez said he was pleased with the rulings but did not say whether the government would appeal.

Before the three judges issued their unanimous ruling, Veras orally reviewed the copious amount of evidence that prosecutors presented during trial, including certain testimony from 31 witnesses.

“This is a somewhat complex process,” Veras said.

More than an hour into her presentation, Veras said: “The court has understood that this minor was manipulated.”

As the judge continued her review, Franco looked ahead expressionless, leaning forward at times.

Franco, who was once the team’s star shortstop, had signed a $182 million, 11-year contract through 2032 in November 2021 but saw his career abruptly halted in August 2023 after authorities in the Dominican Republic announced they were investigating him for an alleged relationship with a minor. Franco was 22 at the time.

• Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, center, reacts after hearing his sentence during his trial on charges of sexual abuse of a minor, alongside his lawyers Teodosio Jaquez, left, and Irina Ventura in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Thursday, June 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Fran Afonso)
• Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, right, reacts during his trial on charges of sexual abuse of a minor, in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Thursday, June 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Fran Afonso)
• Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco reacts after hearing his sentence during his trial on charges of sexual abuse of a minor, in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Thursday, June 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Fran Afonso)
• Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, left, reacts during his trial on charges of sexual abuse of a minor, in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Thursday, June 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Fran Afonso)

Show Caption1 of 4Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, center, reacts after hearing his sentence during his trial on charges of sexual abuse of a minor, alongside his lawyers Teodosio Jaquez, left, and Irina Ventura in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Thursday, June 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Fran Afonso) Expand

In January 2024, authorities arrested Franco in the Dominican Republic. Six months later, Tampa Bay placed him on the restricted list, which cut off the pay he had been receiving while on administrative leave.

He was placed on that list because he has not been able to report to the team and would need a new U.S. visa to do so.

While Franco awaited trial on conditional release, he was arrested again in November last year following what Dominican authorities called an altercation over a woman’s attention. He was charged with illegally carrying a semiautomatic Glock 19 that police said was registered to his uncle.

That case is still pending in court.

After the ruling, Major League Baseball issued a brief statement noting it had collectively bargained a joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy “that reflects our commitment to these issues.”

“We are aware of today’s verdict in the Wander Franco trial and will conclude our investigation at the appropriate time,” MLB said.

Associated Press writers Dánica Coto in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Ron Blum in New York contributed.