THE SARGSYAN FAMILY STORY, PART I

Timeline Description and Definition: Four Periods of the Sargsyan Family Ordeal
-- by Rick Plavidal

In order to better clarify and describe this ordeal which involves multiple parties and spans two continents and several years, it is useful to divide the ordeal into four distinct periods as follows:

1. The Scam Period  (11/94-6/15/96)

This period takes place in Armenia and is so-named because it is highlighted by the scam crimes perpetrated by Vaughn Huckfeldt, an American citizen posing as a INS "agent" in Armenia who bilked thousands of dollars from Armenians with false promises of securing visas to the United States. This period begins in November, 1994, the month Nvart first met Vaughn. It continues through the time that both Nvart and Vaughn got married and lived in Armenia and then ends when both Nvart and Vaughn moved to the United States on June 15th, 1996.

2. The Separation Period  (6/15/96-1/31/99)
(a.k.a. the persecution period)

The separation period describes the two-and-a-half years that the family was separated- Nvart living in the United States and the rest of the family still in Armenia. During this period the consequences of Vaughn Huckfeldt's criminal activity came to bear on the rest of the family in Armenia. Since there were severe threats, loss of employment, and loss of all property during this time, this period can also be known as the persecution period. This period ends when the family makes the desperate move to the United States on January 31st, 1999.

3. The Captivity Period (1/31/99-3/99)

Upon the rest of the family's arrival to the United States, the two-month captivity period is defined by the time the family was forced to live in harsh conditions in a small trailer in Ridgway, Colorado. During this time the family was kept in isolation and forced into servitude while under constant threat from Vaughn Huckfeldt. This period ends when the family escapes to a separate apartment with the aid of concerned townspeople.

4. The Follow-up Period (3/99-Present)

This period covers all the time since the family escaped the physical clutches of Vaughn Huckfeldt toward the end of March, 1999 and continues to the present.  It is highlighted by Vaughn Huckfeldt's vengeful acts of defying restraining orders and reporting the family's fraudulent status to the INS office in Texas. (It is important to note that the status was fraudulent by virtue of Vaughn Huckfeldt's personal actions and not that of the Sargsyan family.) This period also highlighted by the family's repeated attempts to notify authorities about Vaughn's illegal activities and bring him to justice. Of course this period also marked the beginning of the Sargsyan family's fight to stay legally, safely, and permanently in the United States.
Their Story Pt. II

To donate to the Sargsyan Aid Fund, please send a tax-deductible check to:
Sargsyan Aid Fund
P.O. Box 774
Ridgway, CO 81432