Sheriff claims deputies didn’t search lacrosse crew’s private objects, body digital camera exhibits otherwise

LIBERTY COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC/Grey News) - An incident that concerned gamers from a college’s lacrosse workforce and deputies in Georgia remains under investigation.

WTOC experiences Delaware State University President Tony Allen released 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 site visitors violation with the Delaware State Lacrosse staff on board. Deputies searched the belongings of the student-athletes, together with suitcases with drug-sniffing canines.

“100% you can’t be in that left lane in any respect,” mentioned a Liberty County Sheriff’s Deputy.

The workforce was returning residence from a sport in Florida and touring by a contracted bus, in line with Allen.

Liberty County Sheriff William Bowman held a information convention about the incident but took no questions. He claimed that no private objects on the bus have been searched.

Physique digital camera video obtained by WTOC, however, clearly showed the deputies going by way of the students’ luggage and even medicine.

The university president wrote in his statement that videos taken by players confirmed law enforcement trying to intimidate them into confessing to possession of medication and/or drug paraphernalia.

“They didn’t actually ask us,” mentioned Sydney Anderson, a Delaware State Lacrosse Participant. “They informed us of what they’re gonna do and nobody questioned them...we simply allow them to rattle by means of our stuff.”

A player on the bus requested: “How did we go from being within the improper lane to going by way of our baggage?”

A deputy responded: “Well, he stopped y’all, he didn’t stop y’all for a traffic violation...he stopped the driver for a visitors violation.”

Nothing illegal was discovered in the search, and Allen knowledgeable the general public that he has contacted Delaware’s governor, the Black Caucus and different state officers.

Allen wrote that everyone was incensed over the incident.

Allen additionally added the next:

“We do not intend to let this or another incident prefer it pass idly by. We are prepared to go wherever the proof leads us. Now we have video. We now have allies. Maybe more significantly, we now have the courage of our convictions.”

Allen concluded his statement by writing, “We'll never be bullied into believing something aside from what we are: Individuals, learners, lecturers, builders—helpful and honorable folks ready to soar.”

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