JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — New court documents released Thursday show not only how former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel was spending fire department funds, but whom he was spending it on.
Noel is facing 31 felonies and is currently in jail after a judge upped his bond to $1.5 million in June after the state brought additional charges. On Thursday, Indiana State Police investigators released three new probable cause affidavits saying Noel and former Clark County Councilwoman Brittney Ferree used Utica Township Volunteer Firefighters Association funds to take at least three trips together.
Noel, whose wife Misty is also facing charges in this case, had a romantic relationship with Ferree from 2019-2022, according to ISP. Ferree is a former Clark County councilwoman and fathered a child with Noel.
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According to Thursday's documents, Noel made $104,971.51 worth of child support payments to Ferree using UTVFA funds between March 2020 and September 2023. Noel ran the UTVFA for many years until he was forced out in January.
Investigators also revealed Noel used PayPal to transfer $6,998.40 in UTVFA funds to HeadPlay, a salon owned by Ferree.
A further review of UTVFA credit card statements showed Noel and Ferree took at least three trips on the department's dime, according to ISP Lt. Jeffrey Hearon, the lead investigator on the case. He stated records indicate the two traveled to New York City in April 2019, Tampa in May 2022 and New Orleans in July 2022.
Airfare for the three trips totaled $2,030.06. Hearon said Noel gave Ferree $114,070 in UTVFA funds for child support, travel and other expenses.
Hearon also stated he recently received an 80-page document from Allegiant Air indicating Noel spent $60,153.05 in UTVFA money on trips to numerous destinations for himself, his wife, their three children - Kasey, Josey and Gracy - and extended family and friends.
Hearon also provided information for the first time suggesting he is investigating whether Ferree broke conflict of interest rules during her time on Clark County Council. Hearon states Ferree voted twice to approve funding for New Chapel EMS while she was romantically involved with Noel, who ran the EMS service at the time.
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.
Watch our special report on the Jamey Noel investigation below
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.
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.