Former border agent acquitted of rape, extortion charges

A former Canada Border Services agent who had a previous conviction for sexual assault, breach of trust and extortion overturned on appeal has been acquitted of all charges following a trial in the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia.

In his written submission released on Dec. 22, Justice D. Timothy Gabriel said he was "left in reasonable doubt" as tothe guilt of Carie Dexter Willis after hearing all the evidence.

Gabriel saidevidence given by both parties in the case was "starkly contrasting and irreconcilable."

"The presumption of innocence cannot be reduced to a mere credibility contest, particularly between the complainant and an accused," Gabriel said.

In the 2018 trial, Nova Scotia Supreme Court JudgeSuzanne Hood said Willis was handling a Nigerian woman's deportation in 2003 when heoffered to bury the file in exchange for sex.

The woman, whose identity is banned from publication, came forward with her complaint in 2014.

Willis was sentenced to six years in prison but appealed the conviction.

In the 2019 appeal trial, Willis argued before Chief Justice Michael Wood that Hoodapplied more scrutiny to his testimony than that of the accuser.

Wood agreed and also ruled that Hood erred in allowing the woman's previous statements to be used as corroborationfor her testimony.

Wood upheld the appeal and a new trial was ordered.

Willis has been out on bail since winning his appeal.