Trial To Start Against Former Deputy In Habersham Drug Raid Case

Media reports have indicated that a former Habersham County deputy sheriff is set to face trial on charges over her role in setting up a “no-knock” drug raid that severely injured a toddler when a flash grenade detonated in his playpen.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Nikki Autry is expected to face trial starting today.

Autry has pleaded not guilty to providing false information to get a warrant, which led to a raid that critically injured a toddler.

The federal indictment alleged that Autry knowingly provided false information to a Habersham County magistrate judge, who then issued a “no-knock” search warrant for the Cornelia residence as part of a drug investigation.

The warrant obtained by Autry was executed during the early morning hours of May 28, 2014.

It was during the execution of that warrant when a Habersham County deputy sheriff tossed a flash bang grenade into a side door of the residence, landing in a room where a toddler was sleeping.

The grenade landed inside the toddler’s playpen and critically injured him.

Authorities said the grenade blew the child’s chest and face open, burning him.
Autry’s attorney Jeff Brickman told the Associated Press Autry never intentionally misled the judge who signed the no-knock warrant.