Sheriff claims deputies didn’t search lacrosse crew’s private items, body digital camera reveals in any other case

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

WTOC studies Delaware State University President Tony Allen released a statement 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 site visitors violation with the Delaware State Lacrosse workforce on board. Deputies searched the belongings of the student-athletes, together with suitcases with drug-sniffing dogs.

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

The staff was returning dwelling from a recreation in Florida and touring by a contracted bus, in keeping with Allen.

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

Physique camera video obtained by WTOC, nonetheless, clearly showed the deputies going by way of the students’ bags and even treatment.

The college president wrote in his statement that movies taken by gamers confirmed law enforcement trying 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 Player. “They knowledgeable us of what they’re gonna do and no one questioned them...we simply let them rattle via our stuff.”

A player on the bus requested: “How did we go from being within the flawed lane to going through our baggage?”

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

Nothing unlawful was discovered 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 additionally added the next:

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

Allen concluded his assertion by writing, “We'll by no means be bullied into believing something other than what we're: People, learners, teachers, builders—useful and honorable folks ready to soar.”

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