Latest news with #YudelkaAybar
CTV News
2 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Prosecutors describe their evidence in Wander Franco trial as ‘convincing' and ‘compelling'
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco sits in court during his trial on charges of sexually abusing a minor, in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Monday, June 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Ricardo Hernandez) Warning: This story contains graphic details SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic - Key prosecution witnesses testified on Friday in the trial of Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who faces charges of sexual abuse against a minor, before the Puerto Plata Collegiate Court in the Dominican Republic. The trial that was initially scheduled for Dec. 12 was postponed until earlier this week and three hearings have been held. On Thursday, the teenage girl testified behind closed doors. Prosecutors described the evidence presented on Friday as 'convincing' and 'compelling.' 'Franco Aybar kidnapped the victim for sexual purposes for several days and then sent large sums of money to her mother,' prosecutors stated. Documents that prosecutors presented to the judge last year and were viewed by The Associated Press alleged that Franco, through his mother Yudelka Aybar, transferred 1 million pesos or US$17,000 to the mother of the minor on Jan. 5, 2023, to consent to the purported abuse. The mother of the minor has been charged with money laundering and is under house arrest. Franco also has been charged with sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking. Prosecutors say that the minor's mother went from being a bank employee to leading an ostentatious life and acquiring assets that she cannot justify using the funds she received from Franco. Franco, who turned 24 on March 1, was in his third major league season when his career was halted in August 2023. He agreed to an 11-year, $182 million contract in November 2021. He is currently on Major League Baseball's restricted list after initially being placed on administrative leave. Franco, who was charged in July 2024 and is on supervised release, could face up to 30 years in prison if found guilty. The trial is scheduled to continue Monday. Martin Adames, The Associated Press Resources for sexual assault survivors in Canada If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual assault or trauma, the following resources are available to support people in crisis:
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Prosecutors describe their evidence in Wander Franco trial as 'convincing' and 'compelling'
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Key prosecution witnesses testified on Friday in the trial of Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who faces charges of sexual abuse against a minor, before the Puerto Plata Collegiate Court in the Dominican Republic. The trial that was initially scheduled for Dec. 12 was postponed until earlier this week and three hearings have been held. On Thursday, the teenage girl testified behind closed doors. Prosecutors described the evidence presented on Friday as 'convincing' and 'compelling.' 'Franco Aybar kidnapped the victim for sexual purposes for several days and then sent large sums of money to her mother,' prosecutors stated. Documents that prosecutors presented to the judge last year and were viewed by The Associated Press alleged that Franco, through his mother Yudelka Aybar, transferred 1 million pesos or $17,000 to the mother of the minor on Jan. 5, 2023, to consent to the abuse. The mother of the minor has been charged with money laundering and is under house arrest. Franco also has been charged with sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking. Prosecutors say that the minor's mother went from being a bank employee to leading an ostentatious life and acquiring assets that she cannot justify using the funds she received from Franco. Franco, who turned 24 on March 1, was in his third major league season when his career was halted in August 2023. He agreed to an 11-year, $182 million contract in November 2021. He is currently on Major League Baseball's restricted list after initially being placed on administrative leave. Franco, who was charged in July 2024 and is on supervised release, could face up to 30 years in prison if found guilty. The trial is scheduled to continue Monday. ___ AP MLB:
Globe and Mail
6 days ago
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Rays star Wander Franco faces sexual abuse, human trafficking charges in Dominican Republic
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco is scheduled to go to trial Monday in the Dominican Republic in a sexual abuse case involving a 14-year-old girl. Now 24, Franco was having an All-Star season in 2023 before Dominican authorities began investigating allegations he had been in a relationship with a minor and paid her mother thousands of dollars for her consent. The trial was initially scheduled for Dec. 12 but was postponed until June. Here's what to know about the trial: What are the charges against Wander Franco? Franco has been charged with sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking. After an investigation that lasted over a year, judge Pascual Valenzuela of the northern province of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, ruled in September that the evidence presented by prosecutors was worthy of the case moving to trial. Documents that prosecutors presented to the judge in July and were viewed by The Associated Press alleged that Franco, through his mother Yudelka Aybar, transferred 1 million pesos or $US17,000 to the mother of the minor on Jan. 5, 2023, to consent to the abuse. The mother of the minor has been charged with money laundering and is under house arrest. Prosecutors say that the minor's mother went from being a bank employee to leading an ostentatious life and acquiring assets using the funds she received from Franco. During raids on the house of the minor's mother, prosecutors say they found $US68,500 and $US35,000 that they allege was delivered by Franco. After the hearing in September, Franco said 'everything is in God's hands.' He has otherwise refused to speak to the media. When is Franco's trial? The trial was set to begin June 2 at a court in the northern province of Puerto Plata. His case will be heard by either three or five judges. There are no jury trials in the Dominican Republic. The judges will hear the arguments from both sides and the witnesses' testimony, and then analyze the evidence and deliver a verdict. The trial could take up to eight months to conclude, based on the average duration of trials in the Dominican Republic. Dominican judge Yacaira Veras postponed the trial in December at the request of prosecutors because of the absence of several key witnesses in the case. Franco's lawyers asked the court to reconsider the postponement, arguing Franco needed to report to spring training in mid-February. The judge replied that Franco is obligated to continue with the trial schedule and his conditional release from detainment. What could be his sentence if found guilty? If convicted, Franco could face up to 20 years in prison. Is Franco being held in jail? Franco has been free on supervised release, although he had been required to make monthly control visits to the judge. He was also arrested and granted another supervised release in November for illegally carrying a gun in his vehicle. The arrest followed an argument in an apartment complex parking lot. Another man and a woman also were detained in the confrontation. Two firearms were seized, police said. Dominican judge Viamerca Ruiz said Franco needs to report to court once a month while he is being investigated for carrying the firearm that was registered under his uncle's name. One of Franco's lawyers said because the gun has a license, 'there's nothing illegal about it.' A conviction for illegally possessing a firearm could prompt a three- to five-year prison sentence. Is Franco still being paid? No, but he was for nearly a year after Dominican authorities opened their probe. Franco, who signed a $US182 million, 11-year contract with the Rays in 2021, was briefly placed on the restricted list and then administrative leave in August 2023 when Dominican authorities opened their investigation. Because administrative leave is not disciplinary under the sport's joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy, Franco was paid during that time. Technically, there is no leave during the offseason, and Franco was again placed on administrative leave at the start of the 2024 season until prosecutors filed the current charges on July 10. At that time, MLB placed Franco — who had a $US2 million salary in 2024 — on its restricted list, cutting off the pay he had been receiving under administrative leave. He had been receiving 50 per cent of his salary on administrative leave, a person familiar with his situation told the AP, speaking on condition of anonymity because that detail had not been disclosed publicly. When he was placed on the restricted list, his pay was adjusted to $US1,118,280, or salary for 104 days of the 186-day season. MLB is likely to wait until the Dominican trial is concluded before deciding whether there will be any discipline. ___ AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report.
CTV News
6 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Wander Franco trial: Rays star faces sexual abuse, human trafficking charges in Dominican Republic
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco attends his trial on charges of sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor and human trafficking, in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Ricardo Hernandez, File) Warning: This story contains graphic details and allegations of sexual assault Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco is scheduled to go to trial Monday in the Dominican Republic in a sexual abuse case involving a 14-year-old girl. Now 24, Franco was having an All-Star season in 2023 before Dominican authorities began investigating allegations he had been in a relationship with a minor and paid her mother thousands of dollars for her consent. The trial was initially scheduled for Dec. 12 but was postponed until June. Here's what to know about the trial: What are the charges against Wander Franco? Franco has been charged with sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking. After an investigation that lasted over a year, judge Pascual Valenzuela of the northern province of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, ruled in September that the evidence presented by prosecutors was worthy of the case moving to trial. Documents that prosecutors presented to the judge in July and were viewed by The Associated Press alleged that Franco, through his mother Yudelka Aybar, transferred 1 million pesos or US$17,000 to the mother of the minor on Jan. 5, 2023, to consent to the abuse. The mother of the minor has been charged with money laundering and is under house arrest. Prosecutors say that the minor's mother went from being a bank employee to leading an ostentatious life and acquiring assets using the funds she received from Franco. During raids on the house of the minor's mother, prosecutors say they found $68,500 and $35,000 that they allege was delivered by Franco. After the hearing in September, Franco said 'everything is in God's hands.' He has otherwise refused to speak to the media. When is Franco's trial? The trial was set to begin June 2 at a court in the northern province of Puerto Plata. His case will be heard by either three or five judges. There are no jury trials in the Dominican Republic. The judges will hear the arguments from both sides and the witnesses' testimony, and then analyze the evidence and deliver a verdict. The trial could take up to eight months to conclude, based on the average duration of trials in the Dominican Republic. Dominican judge Yacaira Veras postponed the trial in December at the request of prosecutors because of the absence of several key witnesses in the case. Franco's lawyers asked the court to reconsider the postponement, arguing Franco needed to report to spring training in mid-February. The judge replied that Franco is obligated to continue with the trial schedule and his conditional release from detainment. What could be his sentence if found guilty? If convicted, Franco could face up to 20 years in prison. Is Franco being held in jail? Franco has been free on supervised release, although he had been required to make monthly control visits to the judge. He was also arrested and granted another supervised release in November for illegally carrying a gun in his vehicle. The arrest followed an argument in an apartment complex parking lot. Another man and a woman also were detained in the confrontation. Two firearms were seized, police said. Dominican judge Viamerca Ruiz said Franco needs to report to court once a month while he is being investigated for carrying the firearm that was registered under his uncle's name. One of Franco's lawyers said because the gun has a license, 'there's nothing illegal about it.' A conviction for illegally possessing a firearm could prompt a three- to five-year prison sentence. Is Franco still being paid? No, but he was for nearly a year after Dominican authorities opened their probe. Franco, who signed a $182 million, 11-year contract with the Rays in 2021, was briefly placed on the restricted list and then administrative leave in August 2023 when Dominican authorities opened their investigation. Because administrative leave is not disciplinary under the sport's joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy, Franco was paid during that time. Technically, there is no leave during the offseason, and Franco was again placed on administrative leave at the start of the 2024 season until prosecutors filed the current charges on July 10. At that time, MLB placed Franco — who had a $2 million salary in 2024 — on its restricted list, cutting off the pay he had been receiving under administrative leave. He had been receiving 50 per cent of his salary on administrative leave, a person familiar with his situation told the AP, speaking on condition of anonymity because that detail had not been disclosed publicly. When he was placed on the restricted list, his pay was adjusted to $1,118,280, or salary for 104 days of the 186-day season. MLB is likely to wait until the Dominican trial is concluded before deciding whether there will be any discipline. AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report. Martín Adames, The Associated Press
CBC
6 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Wander Franco to stand trial starting Monday in sexual abuse case involving underage girl
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco is scheduled to go to trial Monday in the Dominican Republic in a sexual abuse case involving a 14-year-old girl. Now 24, Franco was having an all-star season in 2023 before Dominican authorities began investigating allegations he had been in a relationship with a minor and paid her mother thousands of dollars for her consent. The trial was initially scheduled for Dec. 12 but was postponed until June. Here's what to know about the trial: What are the charges against Wander Franco? Franco has been charged with sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking. After an investigation that lasted over a year, judge Pascual Valenzuela of the northern province of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, ruled in September that the evidence presented by prosecutors was worthy of the case moving to trial. Documents that prosecutors presented to the judge in July and were viewed by The Associated Press alleged that Franco, through his mother Yudelka Aybar, transferred 1 million pesos or $17,000 US to the mother of the minor on Jan. 5, 2023, to consent to the abuse. The mother of the minor has been charged with money laundering and is under house arrest. Prosecutors say that the minor's mother went from being a bank employee to leading an ostentatious life and acquiring assets using the funds she received from Franco. During raids on the house of the minor's mother, prosecutors say they found $68,500 and $35,000 that they allege was delivered by Franco. After the hearing in September, Franco said "everything is in God's hands." He has otherwise refused to speak to the media. When is Franco's trial? The trial was set to begin June 2 at a court in the northern province of Puerto Plata. His case will be heard by either three or five judges. There are no jury trials in the Dominican Republic. The judges will hear the arguments from both sides and the witnesses' testimony, and then analyze the evidence and deliver a verdict. The trial could take up to eight months to conclude, based on the average duration of trials in the Dominican Republic. Dominican judge Yacaira Veras postponed the trial in December at the request of prosecutors because of the absence of several key witnesses in the case. Franco's lawyers asked the court to reconsider the postponement, arguing Franco needed to report to spring training in mid-February. The judge replied Franco is obligated to continue with the trial schedule and his conditional release from detainment. What could be his sentence if found guilty? If convicted, Franco could face up to 20 years in prison. Is Franco being held in jail? Franco has been free on supervised release, although he had been required to make monthly control visits to the judge. He was also arrested and granted another supervised release in November for illegally carrying a gun in his vehicle. The arrest followed an argument in an apartment complex parking lot. Another man and a woman also were detained in the confrontation. Two firearms were seized, police said. Dominican judge Viamerca Ruiz said Franco needs to report to court once a month while he is being investigated for carrying the firearm that was registered under his uncle's name. One of Franco's lawyers said because the gun has a licence, "there's nothing illegal about it." A conviction for illegally possessing a firearm could prompt a three- to five-year prison sentence. Is Franco still being paid? No, but he was for nearly a year after Dominican authorities opened their probe. Franco, who signed an 11-year, $182-million contract with the Rays in 2021, was briefly placed on the restricted list and then administrative leave in August 2023 when Dominican authorities opened their investigation. Because administrative leave is not disciplinary under the sport's joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy, Franco was paid during that time. Technically, there is no leave during the offseason, and Franco was again placed on administrative leave at the start of the 2024 season until prosecutors filed the current charges on July 10. At that time, MLB placed Franco — who had a $2 million salary in 2024 — on its restricted list, cutting off the pay he had been receiving under administrative leave. He had been receiving 50 per cent of his salary on administrative leave, a person familiar with his situation told the AP, speaking on condition of anonymity because that detail had not been disclosed publicly. That meant Franco accrued $559,140, or half of his salary for 104 days of the 186-day season. MLB is likely to wait until the Dominican trial is concluded before deciding whether there will be any discipline.
