Sheriff claims deputies didn’t search lacrosse workforce’s personal gadgets, body camera exhibits otherwise

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

WTOC reports Delaware State University President Tony Allen released an announcement on Monday responding to the incident that reportedly occurred on April 20 in Liberty County.

Allen wrote Georgia law enforcement stopped a bus for a minor visitors violation with the Delaware State Lacrosse group on board. Deputies searched the belongings of the student-athletes, including suitcases with drug-sniffing canine.

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

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

Liberty County Sheriff William Bowman held a news conference concerning the incident but took no questions. He claimed that no private objects on the bus were searched.

Body camera video obtained by WTOC, however, clearly showed the deputies going through the scholars’ luggage and even medication.

The university president wrote in his assertion that movies taken by players 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,” stated 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 way of our stuff.”

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

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

Nothing unlawful was found in 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 also added the next:

“We don't intend to let this or another incident prefer it go idly by. We're prepared to go wherever the proof leads us. We've got video. We've allies. Maybe extra considerably, we have the braveness of our convictions.”

Allen concluded his assertion by writing, “We'll by no means be bullied into believing anything apart from what we are: People, learners, teachers, builders—useful and honorable people ready to soar.”

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