LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The wife of a former southern Indiana sheriff facing 15 felony charges is now facing several felony counts of her own.
Misty Noel, wife of Jamey Noel, was charged Wednesday in Clark County with five counts of theft and five counts of tax evasion. All charges are felonies, according to court documents.
Clark County Court Administrator Tom Lowe confirmed to WHAS11 the charges were filed. However Noel has not yet been arrested because the usual judge recused himself, as he did when Jamey Noel was charged, and the court is waiting for the Indiana Supreme Court to appoint a new judge to sign the arrest warrant.
On Jan. 16, special prosecutor Ric Hertel said in open court the state was "prepared" to move forward with charges against Misty Noel. Specific charges or a timeline for her arrest were not discussed at the time.
The Indiana State Police investigation into former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel started in June 2023 when authorities believed Noel instructed Clark County jail employees to work on his personal and rental properties, and run errands for him while working on county time and being compensated with public funds.
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.
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Last week, ISP Lt. Jeffrey Hearon, the lead investigator on the case, filed additional probable cause affidavits related to Jamey's vehicles. He believes Noel stole funds as part of a vehicle buying, selling and trading scheme.
Court documents also revealed last week Jamey racked up nearly $5 million in personal charges to business credit cards linked to the Utica Township Volunteer Firefighters Association.
Jamey was in charge of the UTVFA until he was ousted earlier this month.
In December, investigators accused Jamey of unlawfully purchasing a Cessna airplane.
The investigation has also uncovered Jamey fathered a child with former Clark County Councilwoman Brittney Ferree and made child support payments with non-profit funds.
Jamey Noel was charged in November with 15 felonies, including counts of corrupt business practices, ghost employment, official misconduct, theft and tax evasion. He pleaded not guilty.
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