JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — More guns were found in former southern Indiana sheriff Jamey Noel's possession, but he avoided additional jail time Monday on his contempt of court charge.
Former FBI agent Todd Brown took the stand Monday and discussed his search of four of Noel's properties sometime between April 17 and May 1. Brown said he found two semi-automatic pistols in two separate closets in Noel's home on Old Tay Bridge in Jeffersonville.
He also said he found approximately 5,000 rounds of ammunition of various different calibers.
Noel's original bond conditions following his November arrest allowed him to keep only one shotgun for home defense. Four semi-automatic pistols have now been found since that day.
While Judge Larry Medlock didn't think it was fair to add any additional jail time on top of the 60 days he ordered in April, he did say that will change if any more guns are found.
Medlock wouldn't order more jail time Monday, since he didn't explicitly ask Jamey Noel to confirm all guns had been found on April 9.
Special Prosecutor Ric Hertel argued Noel's sentence should be extended.
"If it had been certified to me that there were no further weapons and then these additional weapons were discovered, I promise you there would have been additional sanctions," Judge Medlock said. "But because that certification had not been made, I don't think it would be fair to do so. But should any further weapons be found, there will be more sanctions."
Watch Monday's entire hearing below
The judge also said he wished he would have given Noel a longer sentence a month ago.
Noel's attorneys asked for Noel's contempt of court sentence to be reduced so they could prepare for trial. The prosecution asked for it to be extended because they thought the additional firearms and ammo was a serious offense.
Judge Medlock denied both, thinking it best to let the 60 days expire in June.
While former agent Brown was chosen by the defense and called as a defense's witness, he said he had never met Jamey Noel.
Misty Noel and Kasey Noel also had attorneys conferences Monday, but those were conducted in private. It's not clear when the next pretrial date will be scheduled.
Jamey Noel is currently slated to have his trial for 25 felony counts on November 6. He has pleaded not guilty.
CASE BACKGROUND
Jamey Noel is facing 25 felony charges, including counts of theft, tax evasion, corrupt business practices, ghost employment and official misconduct. 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 wife Misty Noel is facing 10 felonies; five counts of theft and five counts of tax evasion.
Kasey Noel is facing nine felonies; five counts of theft and four counts of tax evasion.
According to previous court documents, 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 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 paid child support payments with UTVFA funds.
Jamey Noel's vast automobile collection has been under scrutiny by investigators since the beginning of the investigation.
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.
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 in income on his taxes. He has not been charged.