Sheriff claims deputies didn’t search lacrosse team’s private gadgets, physique camera reveals in any other case

LIBERTY COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC/Grey Information) - An incident that concerned gamers from a college’s lacrosse team and deputies in Georgia stays underneath investigation.

WTOC studies Delaware State University President Tony Allen launched 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 group on board. Deputies searched the belongings of the student-athletes, including suitcases with drug-sniffing dogs.

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

The workforce was returning home from a sport in Florida and touring by a contracted bus, based on Allen.

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

Body digicam video obtained by WTOC, nevertheless, clearly showed the deputies going by means of the scholars’ baggage and even treatment.

The university president wrote in his statement that videos taken by players confirmed regulation 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 informed us of what they’re gonna do and no one questioned them...we simply allow them to rattle via our stuff.”

A player on the bus requested: “How did we go from being within the wrong lane to going by way of our luggage?”

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

Nothing unlawful 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 everybody was incensed over the incident.

Allen also added the following:

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

Allen concluded his statement by writing, “We'll never be bullied into believing anything apart from what we're: People, learners, academics, builders—helpful and honorable folks able to soar.”

Copyright 2022 WTOC by way of Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.