JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — Former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel was charged with six additional felonies Monday morning.
The State of Indiana filed five additional counts of theft and one count of money laundering in Clark County Circuit Court, according to documents obtained by WHAS11. Noel now faces 31 felony counts.
He pleaded not guilty in November to the first 15, and then not guilty again in February to an additional 10, when he was made a co-defendant with his wife. Court records indicate Noel is scheduled for a hearing Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.
Noel's jury trial is slated to begin Nov. 6.
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Noel is currently in jail after a judge in April found him in contempt of court. He is scheduled to be released in about a week.
The probable cause affidavit said the new charges were related to info that had come out since Feb. 1, that hadn't resulted in new charges yet.
"Since February 1, 2024, additional investigations have been conducted by ISP and SBOA. The SBOA issued two audit reports, one for theft from the Clark County Sheriff's Department and one for theft from Utica Township Volunteer Fire Fighters Association, which reveal additional theft evidence which is outlined below," the affidavit said.
According to court documents, between June 26, 2019 and Dec. 31, 2022, Noel did "knowingly or intentionally exert unauthorized control over the property of Clark County Sheriff's Department, with the intent to deprive said entity of any part of the use or value of the property."
Property included:
- Five lawnmowers $18,651.65
- HVAC system $6,539.12
- Dodge Ram $11,000
- 26 shipping containers in excess of $25,000
Documents indicate the same unauthorized use or control of Utica Township Volunteer Firefighters Association property and funds from Dec. 2, 2019 to Jan. 21, 2023.
Property and funds included:
- Child support payments $50,968
- BMW $21,000
- 1957 Chevrolet $40,000
- 1966 Pontiac $33,919
- 1979 Pontiac $20,000
- 1969 Plymouth Road Runner $52,500
- 1970 Dodge $45,000
- 1959 Corvette $45,000
- HVAC system $2,700
- Chimney repair $11,200
- Airplane $25,000
- Airplane repair $16,616.63
- Cub Cadet mower $11,000
- American Express credit card purchases $37,151.40
- Sam's Club credit card purchases $15,667.16
The total of all items or services mentioned Monday is more than $500,000.
One new piece of info mentioned Monday was specifics on where Jamey Noel, through UTVFA bank accounts, made political donations. Noel allegedly made $33,121 of donations to WinRed, which is a Republican fundraising platform. Noel allegedly made these donations in his own name, but using funds from Utica Township Volunteer Firefighters Association.
Watch the WHAS11 Jamey Noel special report
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.
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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.
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.