JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — Editor's note: If you believe you are a victim of Jamey Noel, Special Prosecutor Ric Hertel asks you to fill out a victim impact form found here.
The special prosecutor in the Jamey Noel investigation will provide a significant update in the former Clark County sheriff's criminal case after two county officials and Noel appeared in court.
John Miller, a Clarksville Police officer and Clark County councilman, and former Councilwoman Brittney Ferree both pleaded not guilty to felony official misconduct during a hearing on Monday.
Noel, who is charged with 31 felonies, entered the courtroom after Miller and Ferree to accept a plea agreement. He pleaded guilty to more than two dozen charges, however it still needs to be approved by Judge Larry Medlock.
During a news conference, Special Prosecutor Richard Hertel said Noel's plea agreement doesn't change either Miller or Ferree's cases, adding that "the job's not finished."
RELATED: Here's everyone who has been arrested in the investigation of former Indiana sheriff Jamey Noel
Hertel said there are likely some people who don't agree with Noel's potential 15-year prison sentence, however he believes there has been a lot of time, effort and heartache taking into consideration the impacted residents.
"We are in the upper end of the spectrum of this 15-year sentence," he said. "I think the [maximum sentence] is subject to interpretation, it's not so black and white. If you asked some legal scholars, I think they may say seven years, there may be other people that say 20 years."
He said if Medlock doesn't approve the plea agreement, prosecutors are prepared to take the case to trial.
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.
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. In July, it was revealed Noel spent $104,971.51 in department funds on child support between March 2020 and September 2023.
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.
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.
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