Sheriff claims deputies didn’t search lacrosse group’s personal gadgets, body digital camera shows in any other case

LIBERTY COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC/Gray News) - An incident that involved players from a university’s lacrosse crew and deputies in Georgia stays underneath investigation.

WTOC experiences Delaware State College President Tony Allen launched a statement on Monday responding to the incident that reportedly occurred on April 20 in Liberty County.

Allen wrote Georgia law enforcement stopped a bus for a minor traffic violation with the Delaware State Lacrosse staff on board. Deputies searched the belongings of the student-athletes, together with suitcases with drug-sniffing dogs.

“100% you can’t be in that left lane at all,” stated a Liberty County Sheriff’s Deputy.

The staff was returning residence from a recreation in Florida and touring by a contracted bus, according to Allen.

Liberty County Sheriff William Bowman held a information conference concerning the incident but took no questions. He claimed that no private items on the bus were searched.

Body camera video obtained by WTOC, however, clearly showed the deputies going by way of the scholars’ baggage and even medicine.

The college president wrote in his statement that videos taken by gamers confirmed legislation enforcement making an attempt to intimidate them into confessing to possession of drugs and/or drug paraphernalia.

“They didn’t really ask us,” mentioned Sydney Anderson, a Delaware State Lacrosse Participant. “They informed us of what they’re gonna do and no one questioned them...we simply let them rattle via our stuff.”

A participant on the bus requested: “How did we go from being in the unsuitable lane to going by our luggage?”

A deputy responded: “Nicely, he stopped y’all, he didn’t cease y’all for a visitors violation...he stopped the driving force for a visitors violation.”

Nothing illegal was found within the search, and Allen informed the public that he has contacted Delaware’s governor, the Black Caucus and different state officers.

Allen wrote that everybody was incensed over the incident.

Allen also added the next:

“We don't intend to let this or some other incident prefer it move idly by. We are prepared to go wherever the proof leads us. We have video. We have allies. Maybe extra significantly, we have now the courage of our convictions.”

Allen concluded his statement by writing, “We are going to never be bullied into believing something other than what we are: Individuals, learners, teachers, builders—helpful and honorable people ready to soar.”

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