Sheriff claims deputies didn’t search lacrosse group’s personal objects, body digicam exhibits otherwise

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

WTOC studies Delaware State University 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 site visitors violation with the Delaware State Lacrosse crew on board. Deputies searched the belongings of the student-athletes, together with suitcases with drug-sniffing canine.

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

The team was returning residence from a game in Florida and traveling by a contracted bus, in keeping with Allen.

Liberty County Sheriff William Bowman held a news convention in regards to the incident but took no questions. He claimed that no personal items on the bus were searched.

Body digicam video obtained by WTOC, however, clearly showed the deputies going by the students’ baggage and even treatment.

The college president wrote in his statement that videos taken by players showed regulation enforcement attempting to intimidate them into confessing to possession of medication and/or drug paraphernalia.

“They didn’t really ask us,” stated Sydney Anderson, a Delaware State Lacrosse Player. “They knowledgeable us of what they’re gonna do and no one questioned them...we just allow them to rattle through our stuff.”

A participant on the bus asked: “How did we go from being within the unsuitable lane to going via our luggage?”

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

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

Allen wrote that everyone was incensed over the incident.

Allen also added the next:

“We don't intend to let this or another incident like it move idly by. We're prepared to go wherever the proof leads us. We've video. We've allies. Perhaps extra significantly, we have the courage of our convictions.”

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

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