JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — Prosecutor Ric Hertel didn't know much about Clark County, Indiana, 14 months ago, but he's become a bit of an expert since he caught the Jamey Noel case.
Hertel, who serves as the prosecutor in Ripley County, was appointed special prosecutor in the case against Noel last year. He was in the courtroom Monday as Special Judge Larry Medlock sentenced the former Clark County sheriff to a 15-year prison sentence after an exhaustive investigation.
"It's been the state's theory all along that Jamey Noel's been the boss," Hertel said after Monday's hearing. "It's also been the theory if you cut the head off the snake, the body follows. While it's our hope the other cases will take care of themselves, each one will be different. The job's not finished. There are still four other people."
Noel was a household name in southern Indiana. In addition to serving as Clark County sheriff, he was also the CEO of the Utica Township Volunteer Firefighters Association and New Chapel EMS. He was also deeply involved in politics, and even served on Gov. Eric Holcomb's transition team.
But Hertel had never heard of him.
"I didn't know who Jamey Noel was. My experience with Clark County was minimal," Hertel said. "Back in August [2023] when all those search warrants started to fall, 71 of them later, here we are. He's sentenced to the Indiana Department of Corrections for 12 years. A lot has changed. Law enforcement for 30 years. District chair. CEO. And now inmate."
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Noel admitted guilt to 27 felony charges, including 15 counts of theft and four counts of official misconduct. He stole over $4 million from the UTVFA and sheriff's department, and spent the money on himself, family and friends.
New Chapel EMS lost the majority of its contracts as a result of the case. The department is now a fraction of its former size.
Hertel hopes Monday marks the moment the community can begin to move forward.
"As I look around Clark County and the people behind me, I hope you all can turn the page," he said. "This chapter is closed and the healing can start to begin. In my eyes, the grip Jamey Noel had on this community is over. Nobody has to go through him to get elected for anything, get medical care or report a crime."
Indiana State Police started investigating Noel, his family and others in June 2023. Hertel thanked them for the dogged work.
ISP Superintendent Doug Carter also spoke with Hertel after the sentencing. He didn't hold back when asked if he accepted Noel's apology.
"No. There were multiple times prior to this where he could have taken responsibility," Carter said. "I appreciate the question, but the answer is absolutely not. It's easy to apologize when you get caught."
Case background
Jamey Noel was charged with 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 estranged wife Misty Noel pleaded not guilty to 10 felonies; five counts of theft and five counts of tax evasion.
Their daughter Kasey Noel pleaded not guilty to nine felonies; five counts of theft and four counts of tax evasion.
According to previous court documents, lead ISP investigator Lt. Jeffrey 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.
Noel also provided Ferree with gifts and travel. Ferree was arrested Aug. 23 and charged with felony conflict of interest. She pleaded not guilty.
Jamey Noel's vast automobile collection has been under scrutiny by investigators since the beginning of the investigation.
According to court documents, 133 vehicles were 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 of 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.
Clarksville police officer and Clark County Councilman John Miller was also arrested Aug. 23 and charged with one count of felony conflict of interest. According to ISP, Noel provided him with 20-25 free meals, travel and concert tickets, and Miller voted on several New Chapel EMS/UTVFA funding requests without disclosing a possible conflict of interest.
He pleaded not guilty. On Aug. 30, he was suspended without pay from his police job.
