Brian Banks was on `` Cloud 10 '' Friday , the first full day of the rest of his life , after he was exonerated of a rape he did not commit . `` Today , it started to sink in a little more , '' Banks told CNN 's Ashleigh Banfield . `` I am overwhelmed . I feel great . '' At age 17 , fearing a potentially long sentence , the college football prospect followed the advice of his attorney and pleaded no contest to assaulting a Long Beach , California , high school classmate in 2002 . Banks maintained his innocence throughout nearly six years of imprisonment , subsequent probation and registration as a sex offender . The case took an incredible twist when the alleged victim sent a Facebook friend request to Banks in early 2011 . According to the California Innocence Project , the woman later admitted that Banks had not kidnapped or raped her during a consensual encounter at Long Beach Polytechnic High School , where Banks was a middle linebacker with a scholarship offer from the University of Southern California . An emotional Banks , 26 , lowered his head and fought back tears Thursday when prosecutors said they were moving to have the conviction dismissed . `` We do not believe Mr. Banks did the crime he pled guilty to , '' Deputy District Attorney Brentford Ferreira said after court . `` Justice has been served . '' A judge concurred and tossed the conviction . Time does n't pay , wrongfully imprisoned find . `` I was overcome with relief but reminded of the pain and suffering I went through in prison and parole , '' Banks said . `` All the false accusations against me . '' Banks put bitterness aside , though , expressing no interest in taking legal action against the woman who recanted . `` For me , I just want to be positive . I want to be in a better position than what I was yesterday , '' Banks said . `` The only way that can happen is by eliminating any negative ill will or feelings toward anyone . '' The Los Angeles County District Attorney 's Office said Friday that it is not currently involved in any investigation of the woman . `` Our standard is beyond a reasonable doubt , '' spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said , referring further questions to Long Beach police . Police spokeswoman Lisa Massacani said Friday that there was no current investigation . According to CNN Los Angeles affiliate KTLA , the accuser won a $ 1.5 million settlement in a civil suit against the Long Beach Unified School District . She claimed that the school 's lax security provided an unsafe environment that led to the alleged rape . It was not clear whether the school district will try to recoup any of the settlement . A message seeking comment was not immediately returned . The California Innocence Project took up Banks ' case and went to court on his behalf , saying he and the woman never had sexual intercourse . The alleged victim expressed concern about having to return money she received in the civil suit , the group said . The group 's director , Justin Brooks , said the Banks case is not uncommon . `` Plea bargains have become the 95 % solution . '' `` Brian has learned that anger is going to eat you up , '' Brooks said . `` If we had n't gotten that recantation , Brian would have gone through this the rest of his life . '' Although he did not have the opportunity to play college football , Banks maintains a dream of playing for the National Football League . `` I 'm hoping to draw the attention of some team that takes interest in my story , takes interest in my hard work and gives me an opportunity , '' he told KTLA .
Judge tosses conviction of man who pleaded no contest to rape charge . Woman who made accusation has recanted . Brian Banks made plea on attorney 's advice , fearing long sentence . Comment: