JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — Former southern Indiana sheriff Jamey Noel was sentenced earlier this month after pleading guilty to over two dozen felonies, and we now know which facility will house him for the next several years.
According to online records, Noel will be incarcerated at New Castle Correctional Facility in New Castle, Indiana. New Castle is about 50 miles northeast of Indianapolis.
NCCF was established in 2002 as the first Indiana Department of Correction-owned, privately managed prison in the state. The facility has a maximum capacity of 3,200 adult male incarcerated individuals with security levels 1-4, special needs and maximum security.
Florida-based GEO Group, Inc., was awarded a contract for the prison in 2005. The company is publicly traded and invests in private prisons and mental health facilities around the world.
GEO Group offers many services to people who are incarcerated, including specialized medical care, educational and therapeutic programming and vocational opportunities.
A massive riot broke out in 2007 that injured seven prisoners and two corrections officers.
Notable incarcerated individuals include serial killer Eugene Britt, and rapist and murderer John D. Miller.
Noel's earliest possible release date is June 5, 2033. The final three years of his 15-year sentence will be served on probation.
Noel agreed to plead guilty to:
- One count of corrupt business influence.
- Fifteen counts of theft.
- One count of obstruction of justice.
- Four counts of official misconduct.
- Five counts of tax evasion.
- One count of money laundering.
Noel will pay $2,870,924 to the Utica Township Volunteer Firefighters Association and $61,190.77 to the Clark County Sheriff's Department; and $35,245.60 to Indiana State Police for costs related to storing evidence.
Jamey and his estranged wife Misty Noel will pay $173,155.07 to the Indiana Department of Revenue.
Jamey is also subject to a $270,000 fine determined by Judge Larry Medlock, who tacked on $10,000 for each guilty count.
Case background
Jamey Noel was charged with 31 felony charges, including counts of theft, tax evasion, corrupt business practices, ghost employment, official misconduct and money laundering. The ISP investigation began in June 2023 following allegations that Noel directed jail staff to work on his personal property and run his personal errands while on county time.
His estranged wife Misty Noel pleaded not guilty to 10 felonies; five counts of theft and five counts of tax evasion.
Their daughter Kasey Noel pleaded not guilty to nine felonies; five counts of theft and four counts of tax evasion.
Their trials are set for February 2025.
According to previous court documents, lead ISP investigator Lt. Jeffrey Hearon found millions of dollars of personal purchases made by all three on Utica Township Volunteer Firefighter Association credit cards. He also stated they failed to disclose income on their taxes over a five-year span.
Jamey ran UTVFA for many years until January when he was ousted by the board.
In March, investigators uncovered over $100,000 in tuition and education-related payments were made from the cards by Jamey and Misty. Hearon asked a judge for permission to search Indiana University records regarding Josey and Gracy Noel -- Jamey and Misty's other daughters who are currently enrolled at IU campuses.
In April, ISP said the family spent over $300,000 on vacations using fire department funds without reimbursement. Noel was ordered to serve 60 days in jail on April 9 after a judge found him in contempt of court for having firearms in his home in violation of his bond conditions.
The investigation also uncovered Jamey fathered a child with former Clark County Councilwoman Brittney Ferree and made child support payments with UTVFA funds. In July, it was revealed Noel spent $104,971.51 in department funds on child support between March 2020 and September 2023.
Noel also provided Ferree with gifts and travel. Ferree was arrested Aug. 23 and charged with felony conflict of interest. She pleaded not guilty.
Jamey Noel's vast automobile collection has been under scrutiny by investigators since the beginning of the investigation.
According to court documents, 133 vehicles were 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.
Jamey is accused of orchestrating a vehicle trading and selling scheme where he traded in several cars registered to the UTVFA for vehicles he then registered to himself for personal use. In some cases, he allegedly sold them and pocketed the money.
Court documents released in early March indicated 26 containers of military surplus equipment belonging to the Clark County Sheriff's Office were found on a property in Deputy, Indiana. Hearon alleged Noel sold multiple items belonging to the sheriff's office and sold them for personal gain.
The investigation has also focused on former Scott County Sheriff Kenneth Hughbanks, a friend and associate of Jamey's. Hearon said Hughbanks failed to report over $200,000 of income on his taxes. He has not been charged.
In May, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita filed civil lawsuits against the entire Noel family in an effort to recover $4 million in funds the Noels illegally spent.
In July, court documents revealed Jamey spent thousands in UTVFA funds on Reds ticket, golf in Florida and restaurants post-arrest. Another round of documents released by ISP showed Noel spent $60,000 on travel for himself and Ferree, and for members of his family.
Clarksville police officer and Clark County Councilman John Miller was also arrested Aug. 23 and charged with one count of felony conflict of interest. According to ISP, Noel provided him with 20-25 free meals, travel and concert tickets, and Miller voted on several New Chapel EMS/UTVFA funding requests without disclosing a possible conflict of interest.
He pleaded not guilty. On Aug. 30, he was suspended without pay from his police job.
