Sheriff claims deputies didn’t search lacrosse group’s personal gadgets, body digicam reveals otherwise

LIBERTY COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC/Grey News) - An incident that involved players from a college’s lacrosse staff and deputies in Georgia remains underneath investigation.

WTOC experiences Delaware State University President Tony Allen launched a press release on Monday responding to the incident that reportedly happened on April 20 in Liberty County.

Allen wrote Georgia legislation enforcement stopped a bus for a minor visitors violation with the Delaware State Lacrosse staff on board. Deputies searched the belongings of the student-athletes, including suitcases with drug-sniffing canines.

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

The crew was returning dwelling from a recreation in Florida and traveling by a contracted bus, in line with Allen.

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

Physique digicam video obtained by WTOC, nevertheless, clearly confirmed the deputies going through the scholars’ bags and even medicine.

The college president wrote in his statement that videos 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,” stated 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 way of our stuff.”

A player on the bus requested: “How did we go from being within the unsuitable lane to going by means of our bags?”

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

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

Allen wrote that everyone was incensed over the incident.

Allen additionally added the next:

“We do not intend to let this or another incident like it move idly by. We're prepared to go wherever the proof leads us. We have video. Now we have allies. Maybe extra considerably, we have the courage of our convictions.”

Allen concluded his statement by writing, “We'll by no means be bullied into believing anything other than what we're: Americans, learners, academics, builders—helpful and honorable individuals able to soar.”

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