Sheriff claims deputies didn’t search lacrosse workforce’s private items, physique digicam reveals in any other case

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

WTOC studies Delaware State College President Tony Allen launched an announcement on Monday responding to the incident that reportedly happened on April 20 in Liberty County.

Allen wrote Georgia regulation 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, including suitcases with drug-sniffing dogs.

“100% you possibly can’t be in that left lane in any respect,” mentioned a Liberty County Sheriff’s Deputy.

The team was returning residence from a recreation in Florida and touring by a contracted bus, in accordance with Allen.

Liberty County Sheriff William Bowman held a news convention about the incident however took no questions. He claimed that no private items on the bus were searched.

Physique digicam video obtained by WTOC, however, clearly confirmed the deputies going by way of the scholars’ baggage and even medication.

The university president wrote in his statement that videos taken by gamers confirmed legislation enforcement attempting 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 let them rattle by our stuff.”

A participant on the bus asked: “How did we go from being in the incorrect lane to going via our bags?”

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

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

Allen wrote that everybody was incensed over the incident.

Allen additionally added the next:

“We don't intend to let this or another incident like it move idly by. We are ready to go wherever the evidence leads us. Now we have video. We've got allies. Maybe extra considerably, we now have the courage of our convictions.”

Allen concluded his assertion by writing, “We'll never be bullied into believing anything apart from what we are: People, learners, teachers, builders—useful and honorable people able to soar.”

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