LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A spokesperson for Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita's office says Judge Larry Medlock will likely be removed from former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel's civil cases this week. No motions have been made to replace Medlock in Noel's criminal case.
Medlock has missed no opportunity to admonish Noel publicly in his criminal trial. He broke his wooden gavel pad after forcefully slamming his gavel down when sending Noel to "60 Days In" on April 9. He accused Noel of having a "harem of women" and "thinking the Utica Township Volunteer Fire Department is (your) personal piggybank" on June 4.
After the initial hearing in Noel's two civil cases on May 20, Noel's attorney Larry Wilder submitted a motion for a change of judge, citing trial rule 76. Trial rule 76 says, "such change shall be granted upon the filing of an unverified application or motion without specifically stating the ground therefor by a party or his attorney."
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The change of judge has not been argued in civil court, and no follow-up motions have been filed online. However, the attorney general's office says it could be granted soon.
"Judge Medlock was originally assigned to the case by the Indiana Supreme Court because the Judges in Clark County declined jurisdiction," Josh DeFonce, the media director for Rokita's office, said. "However, Noel's counsel and Misty/Gracy/Josey’s counsel have requested a change of judge from Medlock. That is still pending. We should have a new judge this week."
The AG's office is suing Noel, his family and at least one past associate to get back roughly $4 million.
Noel is still in the Scott County jail; after being arraigned on six new charges on June 4, Medlock set a new bond for Noel of $1.5 million.
Noel and his family are enjoined from selling any property over a certain amount as part of the civil case, according to Clark County court administrator Tom Lowe. Lowe said the preliminary injunction should be shared with the media soon.
Charles W. Wright, a bail bondsman in Southern and Central Indiana not associated with the case, said this is the highest bond he's ever seen in Clark or Floyd County.
"Not that I can recall...my wife's been an agent since the late 80s," Wright said. "And I've been around it since the 1990s, so about 35 years. It's a pretty high bond."
Wright also said it's going to hard for Noel to post bond with his and his family's assets frozen.
"It's kind of hard when all your assets are frozen to be able to make bond," Wright said. "You'd have to rely on friends and other family members to help you post a bond."
Noel's attorney Larry Wilder has not responded to multiple questions asking if they are trying to gather funds to bail Noel out.
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.
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