Former Police Officer Appeals Sexual Assault Conviction After Three Weeks in Jail

 A Belize public servant is appealing his sexual assault conviction today after serving more than three weeks in prison.  Thirty-nine-year-old Birgilio Ack, a former police officer, was sentenced to eight months for sexually assaulting a female colleague. Ack was found guilty on August 15, after the victim testified he touched her leg, squeezed her breast, and kissed her while they were on duty at a police booth on March 20, 2023. At the time of the incident, Ack was a serving member of the Belize Police Department and was sentenced to eight months, partly because he “ought to have known better.” Ack, who was unrepresented at his trial, has now hired attorney Rachel Montejo. She submitted a request for a stay of execution and that Ack be granted bail while he awaits his appeal. Montejo argued that her client is not a flight risk, has almost two decades of service with the police department, and that his reputation and finances will suffer irreversible harm while he awaits a hearing. In opposition to the request, a police sergeant argued that there are no special circumstances in Ack’s case that would justify a stay of execution. The prosecutor pointed to a similar case where a request for a stay was denied. A senior magistrate deferred her decision until next week, September 19. Ack has been out on bail since he was charged with the crime in 2023.