Sheriff claims deputies didn’t search lacrosse group’s private objects, body digicam reveals in any other case

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

WTOC studies Delaware State College President Tony Allen launched a press release 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 group 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 at all,” said a Liberty County Sheriff’s Deputy.

The team 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 information convention about the incident however took no questions. He claimed that no personal items on the bus were searched.

Physique camera video obtained by WTOC, nevertheless, clearly confirmed the deputies going via the scholars’ bags and even treatment.

The university president wrote in his assertion that movies taken by players showed law enforcement attempting to intimidate them into confessing to possession of medication and/or drug paraphernalia.

“They didn’t actually ask us,” mentioned Sydney Anderson, a Delaware State Lacrosse Player. “They informed us of what they’re gonna do and nobody questioned them...we just allow them to rattle via our stuff.”

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

A deputy responded: “Well, he stopped y’all, he didn’t cease y’all for a visitors violation...he stopped the motive force for a 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 other state officers.

Allen wrote that everyone was incensed over the incident.

Allen additionally added the following:

“We don't intend to let this or every other incident like it cross idly by. We are prepared to go wherever the proof leads us. We have video. Now we have allies. Perhaps extra significantly, we have the braveness of our convictions.”

Allen concluded his statement by writing, “We'll by no means be bullied into believing anything aside from what we're: Individuals, learners, lecturers, builders—useful and honorable folks able to soar.”

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