JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — New court documents released Thursday continue to paint a picture of what former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel and his family purchased with fire department funds.
Indiana State Police conducted numerous search warrants on Noel's three southern Indiana properties. According to a probable cause affidavit, "scores" of Macy's Department Store receipts and products were found.
Investigators determined Jamey, his wife Misty Noel, and their daughter Kasey Noel made $92,293.22 in purchases over a five-year span:
Jamey: $83,112,63.
Misty: $8,398.37.
Kasey: 782.22.
In the documents, lead investigator Lt. Jeffrey Hearon said all purchases were made using Utica Township Volunteer Firefighter Funds. Jamey Noel ran the organization for over two decades.
Also Thursday, Misty filed for divorce from Jamey.
Jamey faces 31 felony charges and has pleaded not guilty. His trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 6.
A large focus of the ISP investigation, which started in June 2023, centers around Jamey and his family's use of UTVFA funds. They are accused of spending nearly $4 million on themselves without reimbursing the department.
In another probable cause affidavit, ISP said Clark County Councilman John Miller received 20-25 free meals and concert tickets from Jamey. Miller is also a Clarksville police officer, but has been on leave for several months.
According to the court documents, meals, airfare, lodging and concert tickets for Miller were paid for using UTVFA funds. Additionally, Hearon is investigating whether Miller broke conflict of interest rules by voting to approve various ordinances pertaining to UTVFA, also known as New Chapel Fire and EMS, in his capacity as a Clark County councilman.
Miller has not been charged with a crime.
CASE BACKGROUND
Jamey Noel is facing 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 wife Misty Noel pleaded not guilty to 10 felonies; five counts of theft and five counts of tax evasion.
Daughter Kasey Noel pleaded not guilty to 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 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.
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.
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.
