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

LIBERTY COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC/Gray Information) - An incident that concerned players from a college’s lacrosse group and deputies in Georgia stays under investigation.

WTOC experiences Delaware State College President Tony Allen released 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 traffic violation with the Delaware State Lacrosse group on board. Deputies searched the belongings of the student-athletes, together with suitcases with drug-sniffing canines.

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

The workforce was returning residence from a sport in Florida and touring by a contracted bus, in accordance with 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 had been searched.

Physique camera video obtained by WTOC, nevertheless, clearly confirmed the deputies going by way of the scholars’ baggage and even treatment.

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

“They didn’t really ask us,” said Sydney Anderson, a Delaware State Lacrosse Participant. “They knowledgeable us of what they’re gonna do and no one questioned them...we just let them rattle via our stuff.”

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

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

Nothing unlawful was found within the search, and Allen informed the 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 next:

“We don't intend to let this or any other incident like it move idly by. We're prepared to go wherever the proof leads us. Now we have video. We have allies. Perhaps extra considerably, now we have the courage of our convictions.”

Allen concluded his statement by writing, “We are going to never be bullied into believing something apart from what we are: Americans, learners, lecturers, builders—helpful and honorable individuals ready to soar.”

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