When a no-knock warrant was executed in Habersham County, Georgia, on May 28, 2014, an innocent family was traumatized and a baby scarred for life. Bounkham Phonesavanh, affectionately known as ‘”Baby Bou Bou,” was only 19 months old when police threw a stun grenade into his crib that resulted in horrific burns and scarring. The child underwent extensive surgeries and rehabilitation to save his life. To make matters worse, Habersham County initially refused to pay for the medical billsor for the trauma inflicted by the deputies. However, the county did apologize and paid the family close to $1 million.
Now it has been announced that a former deputy has been indicted on federal charges for her role in the incident. Former deputy Nikki Autry was indicted for “false information in a search warrant affidavit and providing the same false information to obtain an arrest warrant. She is accused of violating the civil rights of the people living in the house.”
“Our criminal justice system depends upon our police officers’ sworn duty to present facts truthfully and accurately — there is no arrest that is worth selling out the integrity of our law enforcement officers,” stated U.S. Attorney John Horn.
A Habersham County grand jury in October of 2014 refused to indict the officers involved in the raid. However, the grand jury found that the officers’ actions were “sloppy and hurried” and “not in accordance with best practices.”
The only hope for justice for Baby Bou Bou and the rest of the Phonesavanh family is in federal charges being brought against all officers involved in the botched raid. Although the indictment has been issued, Autry has not yet been arrested.
