Sheriff claims deputies didn’t search lacrosse staff’s personal gadgets, physique digicam reveals otherwise

LIBERTY COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC/Gray News) - An incident that involved players from a college’s lacrosse crew and deputies in Georgia stays under investigation.

WTOC stories Delaware State College 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,” mentioned a Liberty County Sheriff’s Deputy.

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

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

Physique digital camera video obtained by WTOC, nevertheless, clearly showed the deputies going by way of the scholars’ baggage and even remedy.

The university president wrote in his assertion that videos taken by gamers confirmed legislation enforcement attempting to intimidate them into confessing to possession of medication and/or drug paraphernalia.

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

A player on the bus asked: “How did we go from being in the unsuitable lane to going by means of our luggage?”

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

Nothing unlawful was found within the search, and Allen informed the 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 don't intend to let this or any other incident like it cross idly by. We are prepared to go wherever the proof leads us. We now have video. We've allies. Perhaps more significantly, we have now the courage of our convictions.”

Allen concluded his assertion by writing, “We are going to never be bullied into believing something other than what we are: Americans, learners, teachers, builders—helpful and honorable folks ready to soar.”

Copyright 2022 WTOC through Grey Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.