Keith Simmons, owner of Black Diamond Capital Group in Jefferson, was arrested on Thursday, Dec., 17, by Ashe County Sheriff's Deputies and turned over to agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. According to Sheriff James Williams, the agents made the arrest, without incident, at approximately 3 p.m. in the parking lot of the Roses department store located at 761 East Main Street in Jefferson.

Williams said that Simmons will face charges including money laundering, wire fraud and securities fraud. Simmons was held in Cabarrus County on Thursday night before being transported to Charlotte, where he will be held in federal custody. Simmons is expected to appear before a federal magistrate on Tuesday, Dec. 22.

Stephanie Craig, acting Public Affairs Specialist for the FBI's Charlotte Field Office, said that there is "no comment at this time" from the FBI.

The arrest comes only eight days after federal agents conducted a raid on offices of Black Diamond, located at 522 South Main Street in Jefferson. Federal agents confiscated vehicles and computers from the business during the raid.

Look in future issues of Ashe Mountain Times for updates on this breaking story.