A Claremont man accused of running a Ponzi scheme for nearly two decades will go to trial in November.
J.V. Huffman Jr. appeared in court Monday. Judge Timothy Kincaid set Huffman's trial date for Nov. 16.
Huffman, 45, is accused of running a Ponzi scheme for 17 years through his company, Biltmore Financial Inc., telling friends and family he bought and sold securities as he took millions of dollars. Huffman was initially arrested Nov. 7, and has since been indicted on 14 counts of felony security fraud, 14 felony counts of obtaining property by false pretense and one count of possessing a weapon by a prisoner.
"All (of his indictments) will be on the calendar," said Eric Bellas, a prosecutor with the district attorney's office. "It will be up to us to decide what will go to trial."
Brenda and Gary Sigmon were at court Monday. One set of the indictment counts is based on their investment with Huffman. They said they hope the trial actually begins on Nov. 16 — just over a year after Huffman was arrested.
Brenda Sigmon said she would be willing to testify against Huffman if necessary.
"We're fighting for our money," she said. "I want him convicted, the way he's hurt us and so many of these elderly people."
One thing the Sigmons were not expecting when they were in court Monday was Huffman's demeanor. While court was in recess, Huffman sat in the jury box and chatted with a sheriff's deputy. He also looked around the courtroom, smiling slightly. When his attorney, Nathan Taylor, entered the courtroom and sat down to speak with him, Huffman smiled openly several times.
It was enough to make the Sigmons leave before Kincaid announced Huffman's trial date.
"I saw him laughing and we got up and left," Brenda Sigmon said. "We didn't want to sit and watch that."
Vickie Drum also was at court Monday. One of the original indictment counts is based on her investment. She said although some investors think the Nov. 16 court date is a long time from when Huffman was arrested, she doesn't think it's so bad.
"It took nearly 20 years for (Huffman) to do these crimes," Drum said. "It may take that long to prosecute him for it. I just want to make sure they do it right."
District Attorney Jay Gaither and Bellas met on Monday with the victims who came for Huffman's court appearance.
Although the news media was not allowed into the meeting, one of the victims reported Gaither told the victims that Huffman has been offered a plea deal of 30 to 35 years, and has turned it down. Gaither declined to comment.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement