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Trial is this week for deputy accused in Habersham raid that injured toddler
Nikki Autry accused of providing false info
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A former Habersham County Sheriff’s Office deputy is set to stand trial this week, accused of providing false information for a search warrant. That search led to serious injuries for a toddler.

Nikki Autry, 29, of Clarkesville, who formerly worked as a special agent for the Mountain Judicial Circuit Criminal Investigation and Suppression Team, was indicted by a federal grand jury in July. She pleaded not guilty July 28.

Autry is set for trial on Dec. 7, according to court records.

Law enforcement investigating an alleged methamphetamine dealer raided a Cornelia home in May 2014 and used a flash grenade. Bounkham “Bou Bou” Phonesavanh, an 18-month-old child, suffered severe burns from the grenade.

According to the indictment, Autry allegedly provided false information about a reliable informant making a drug buy at the house before the raid.

Autry’s attorney Jeff Brickman previously told The Times that Autry is “devastated” by the charges and is confident the jury will reach the same conclusion as a Habersham grand jury in October 2014. No officers were charged with any criminal wrongdoing.

The Habersham County government reached a settlement agreement with the Phonesavanh family for a total of $964,000 earlier this year. The funding came through the National Fire Insurance Co. policy for the county.

The allegations of providing false evidence for a search warrant is considered a federal civil rights violation, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.