JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — The special prosecutor in the investigation into former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel and his family hinted Monday someone is leaking confidential information to the family.
Kasey Noel, the daughter of Jamey and Misty Noel, appeared in Clark County Circuit Court Monday morning after her arrest last Friday. During a bond discussion, special prosecutor Ric Hertel outlined his "concerns" that somebody may be tipping off members of the family to information under seal, such as when arrest warrants are issued.
Jamey, Misty and Kasey have all been arrested and charged with multiple felonies. Hertel said them knowing exactly when to turn themselves in is "disturbing" to the state.
"Counsel for [Kasey] brings up that she knew a warrant was coming last week, and more specifically, knew a warrant was coming on Friday, so she turned herself in," Hertel told the judge. "This is the third defendant charged in this matter and each one of them knew specifically when the warrant was issued under seal. I have no idea how Jamey, Misty and now Kasey know a warrant drops in a confidential document under seal so much that they can turn themselves in.
"The state has concerns about that information somehow being provided to the Noel family. This was confidential and not known to the public, yet she somehow knew, as did Jamey and Misty."
Special Judge Larry Medlock asked Kasey's attorney, Sunnye Bush-Sawtelle, if she had an explanation.
"I anticipated charges in Kasey's case last week because I received a call from the detective letting me know early in the week they were proceeding with the case," she said. "I anticipated those charges would be filed at the end of the week due to the timing of the previous cases. On Friday at the end of the day, I was with Kasey anticipating that and brought her here."
Jamey was arrested on Wednesday, Nov. 8; Misty was arrested on Thursday, Feb. 1.
After the back-and-forth, Judge Medlock asked to see the attorney and prosecutor in his chambers where they met for several minutes.
He addressed the issue after returning to the bench.
"Information is sealed for a purpose and it should remain sealed until I authorize its release," Judge Medlock said. "With regards to confidential information and if it is being leaked...I know this case and associated cases is a high profile case in this county. With that said, if I find out any county official - whether it's someone from the sheriff's office, ISP, clerk's office, court's office - is releasing information, if I'm allowed I will release that information to the public and do whatever is necessary to rectify that situation.
"With regards to officers of the court (lawyers), I find officers of the court to be respectable and of the highest character. Not all of them, but with respect for the people I deal with, I have no reason to doubt their integrity."
Hertel said he had no reason to believe any attorneys representing any of the Noels have done anything wrong, and the judge agreed.
Noel case background
Jamey Noel is facing 25 felony charges, including counts of theft, tax evasion, corrupt business practices, ghost employment and official misconduct. 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 is facing 10 felonies; five counts of theft and five counts of tax evasion. Both pleaded not guilty.
According to previous court documents, Hearon found millions of dollars of personal purchases made by each on Utica Township Volunteer Firefighter Association credit cards. He also stated they failed to disclose income on their taxes over a five-year span.
The investigation also uncovered Jamey fathered a child with former Clark County Councilwoman Brittney Ferree and paid 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 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 recently on 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.
Hughbanks is a former Clark County Sheriff's Office employee. He also served a short time as Scott County sheriff.
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