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

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

WTOC stories Delaware State College President Tony Allen released a statement on Monday responding to the incident that reportedly occurred 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 canine.

“100% you possibly can’t be in that left lane at all,” said a Liberty County Sheriff’s Deputy.

The group was returning dwelling from a game in Florida and touring by a contracted bus, in response to Allen.

Liberty County Sheriff William Bowman held a information conference about the incident but took no questions. He claimed that no personal gadgets on the bus were searched.

Body digital camera video obtained by WTOC, nonetheless, clearly confirmed the deputies going through the students’ luggage and even medication.

The university president wrote in his statement that videos taken by gamers confirmed legislation enforcement making an attempt to intimidate them into confessing to possession of medicine and/or drug paraphernalia.

“They didn’t really ask us,” stated Sydney Anderson, a Delaware State Lacrosse Player. “They informed us of what they’re gonna do and no one questioned them...we just allow them to rattle by way of our stuff.”

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

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

Nothing unlawful was found within the search, and Allen knowledgeable the general 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 also added the next:

“We do not intend to let this or another incident like it move idly by. We're ready to go wherever the evidence leads us. We've video. We have now allies. Maybe more considerably, we have the courage of our convictions.”

Allen concluded his statement by writing, “We are going to by no means be bullied into believing something other than what we are: Americans, learners, academics, builders—useful and honorable people able to soar.”

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