CLARK COUNTY, Ind. — A southern Indiana official arrested last week in the investigation of former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel has been placed on an indefinite suspension.
Friday morning, the county's Metropolitan Board of Fire, Police and Safety Commissions held a special meeting where John Miller, a Clark County police officer and county councilman, was suspended without pay pending the outcome of his criminal investigation.
Miller is charged with one count of felony conflict of interest. He pleaded not guilty Monday and posted $3,000 bond.
According to ISP, Miller received thousands of dollars in gifts from Noel and voted to approve several funding requests for his non-profit fire and EMS service.
Miller was permitted to place personal items inside his 2023 GMC Yukon Denali following his arrest and call his attorney from inside the vehicle. However court documents released by ISP Wednesday indicate no cell phone was observed by officers.
When Miller was asked by officers what he did with the phone, he refused to answer.
Lt. Jeffrey Hearon, the lead investigator on the case, requested a judge allow him to search the SUV, which was seized last week. He is also asking to seize and search Miller's phone should it be located inside the vehicle.
Miller is accused of accepting free trips, meals, lodging and other gifts from Noel, which he paid for using Utica Township Volunteer Firefighters Association funds.
Earlier this week, his attorney requested Miller's case be moved out of Clark County, arguing he wouldn't receive a fair trial.
Noel admitted guilt to 27 of 31 felony charges against him Monday as part of a plea agreement. If Judge Larry Medlock accept the terms, Noel would go to prison for 15 years.
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