LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Authorities investigating former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel have now identified an airplane they believe was unlawfully purchased.
Search warrants revealed Monday show a 1958 Cessna 172 fixed wing single engine aircraft was registered to the Utica Township Volunteer Fire Fighter Association, which Noel runs. According to the warrant, the plane is to be "seized or documented" because it "constitutes unlawfully obtained property, contraband, property used or possessed with the intent to use in the commission or concealment of an offense..."
Lt. Jeffrey C. Hearon, of the Indiana State Police Department, also requested purchase documents, maintenance and repair receipts, inspection receipts and other documents related to the Cessna.
Noel is facing 15 felony charges related to corrupt business practices, ghost employment, official misconduct, theft and tax evasion. Authorities believe Noel had Clark County jail employees work on his personal and rental properties, and run errands for him while working on county time and being compensated with public funds.
According to the warrant, Lieutenant Hearon learned Noel purchased two planes using sheriff's department funds after creating a Clark County Sheriff's aviation section, and purchased a personal airplane for himself. The Cessna was housed with the sheriff's department aircraft at the Clark County Airport, according to the warrant.
Chief Deputy Sheriff Mark Grube informed the investigator that the sheriff's department received an outstanding fuel bill for the plane and believed Noel was "possibly using the sheriff's department funds to purchase fuel for his personal aircraft."
Noel's was listed as the owner of the Cessna. The previous owner was contacted by Lieutenant Hearon, who told the investigator he sold the plane to Noel in February 2022 for $25,000, and was under the impression Noel was buying the plane for his own personal use.
The previous owner provided the investigator with a copy of the cashier's check used in the transaction. A review of the Utica Township Volunteer Fire Fighter Association revealed the check was deducted from the UTVFFA account and not Noel's personal account.
Two repairs - one for $16,616.63 and another for $465 - were also paid for using the association's funds.
According to the warrant, two jail employees accompanied Noel when he purchased the plane and also stated they believed Noel was purchasing the aircraft for himself.
On Nov. 30, a PrivateFlite Aviation employee contacted Lieutenant Hearon saying the Cessna was at the facility for annual inspection and maintenance, and that the registration had changed to the Utica Township Volunteer Fire Fighter Association. According to the warrant, a review of the registration history indicated the registration switched from Noel's name to the association on Oct. 2, 2023, after Noel was advised he was under investigation.
Noel's vast automobile collection has also come under scrutiny by investigators.
According to court documents, 133 vehicles are registered to the Utica Township Volunteer Fire Department and New Chapel EMS. A review of those vehicles showed several were "inconsistent" with a not-for-profit fire department and EMS business.
Among those 24 vehicles are several Cadillacs, Chevrolet Camaros and Chevrolet Corvettes.
RELATED VIDEO