Sheriff claims deputies didn’t search lacrosse team’s private items, body camera exhibits in any other case

LIBERTY COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC/Grey Information) - An incident that involved gamers from a university’s lacrosse crew and deputies in Georgia remains under investigation.

WTOC stories 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 legislation enforcement stopped a bus for a minor visitors violation with the Delaware State Lacrosse team on board. Deputies searched the belongings of the student-athletes, together with suitcases with drug-sniffing canine.

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

The workforce was returning dwelling from a game in Florida and touring by a contracted bus, in response to Allen.

Liberty County Sheriff William Bowman held a information convention in regards to the incident but took no questions. He claimed that no personal gadgets on the bus had been searched.

Body digital camera video obtained by WTOC, nevertheless, clearly showed the deputies going via the scholars’ luggage and even medicine.

The university president wrote in his statement that movies taken by players confirmed legislation enforcement making an attempt 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 no one questioned them...we simply let them rattle via our stuff.”

A participant on the bus asked: “How did we go from being in the improper lane to going by way of our luggage?”

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

Nothing illegal was found in the search, and Allen informed the 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 also added the following:

“We do not intend to let this or another incident like it pass idly by. We're prepared to go wherever the proof leads us. We've got video. We've allies. Perhaps more significantly, we have now the courage of our convictions.”

Allen concluded his assertion by writing, “We'll by no means be bullied into believing anything aside from what we are: Americans, learners, academics, builders—useful and honorable individuals ready to soar.”

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