Sheriff claims deputies didn’t search lacrosse group’s personal objects, body camera shows in any other case

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

WTOC stories Delaware State University President Tony Allen released an announcement 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 traffic violation with the Delaware State Lacrosse staff on board. Deputies searched the belongings of the student-athletes, together with suitcases with drug-sniffing canines.

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

The group was returning dwelling from a recreation in Florida and traveling by a contracted bus, based on Allen.

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

Body digicam video obtained by WTOC, however, clearly confirmed the deputies going through the scholars’ bags and even medication.

The college president wrote in his statement that videos taken by players 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 Player. “They informed us of what they’re gonna do and nobody questioned them...we simply allow them to rattle by means of our stuff.”

A player on the bus requested: “How did we go from being in the mistaken lane to going by our baggage?”

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

Nothing illegal was found in the search, and Allen informed the 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 following:

“We don't intend to let this or any other incident prefer it go idly by. We're ready to go wherever the evidence leads us. Now we have video. Now we have allies. Maybe more significantly, we have now the courage of our convictions.”

Allen concluded his statement by writing, “We'll by no means be bullied into believing something apart from what we are: Individuals, learners, lecturers, builders—helpful and honorable folks ready to soar.”

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