JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — Former southern Indiana Sheriff Jamey Noel will spend the next 12 years behind bars.
Special Judge Larry Medlock accepted, "with reluctance," a plea agreement Monday that includes a 15-year prison sentence for Noel. The last three years will be served on probation.
Judge Medlock made his ruling after hearing from several victims in court explain how Noel's actions impacted their lives.
"I have wrestled with the idea of accepting or rejecting this," Judge Medlock said. "I could give you more time, but then I'm subject to appeal. And they might lower my sentence. I also listened today carefully. Not one of them indicated they wanted you to spend more time in prison. They wanted you to remember your deceased brother and what you did to his children. Some of them want you to suffer. And I would hope you could understand that considering how you betrayed everyone."
Noel agreed to plead guilty to:
- One count of corrupt business influence.
- Fifteen counts of theft.
- One count of obstruction of justice.
- Four counts of official misconduct.
- Five counts of tax evasion.
- One count of money laundering.
Noel will pay $2,870,924 to the Utica Township Volunteer Firefighters Association and $61,190.77 to the Clark County Sheriff's Department; and $35,245.60 to Indiana State Police for costs related to storing evidence.
Jamey and his estranged wife Misty Noel will pay $173,155.07 to the Indiana Department of Revenue.
Jamey is also subject to a $270,000 fine determined by Judge Medlock, who tacked on $10,000 for each guilty count.
Noel took several moments to collect himself before reading a lengthy statement apologizing to his family, friends, colleagues and constituents. He fought through tears as he stood handcuffed in the courtroom.
"I don't want to make it look like I'm trying to deflect blame, because it's mine...I apologize," Noel said. "I ask my kids to forgive me for not being honest with them about where the money was coming from. My daughter Kasey lost her freedom because of me. It's all my fault. My family had no knowledge of the business I was running. I controlled everything when it came to my family's finances."
Noel also addressed his wife Misty Noel, who filed for divorce in August and also faces charges in this case.
"I ask my wife to forgive me," he said. "I understand why she wants to end our marriage. I don't blame her. This has caused her a lot of heartache and embarrassment."
One-by-one, victims entered the courtroom Monday and addressed Noel to his face. They spoke of the hardships they experienced due to Noel's actions, which in some cases, meant losing their jobs with New Chapel EMS.
Suzanna Worrall, whose brother-in-law and Clarksville Town Councilman Red Worrall died on Election Day last year from a medical episode, said better EMS service could have saved his life.
Another victim revealed herself as a mother whose son died in the Clark County Jail while Noel was sheriff. He had high blood pressure and received some medical attention in jail, but the mom said he died in custody, and she blames Noel.
“I hope you rot in prison," she said.
Hope Noel, the former wife of Jamey's deceased brother Leon, made Jamey tear up. Jamey is accused of mismanaging and stealing from Leon's estate, and shorting Leon's children out of thousands of dollars.
“The sheriff is supposed to be someone you can trust. Your uncle is supposed to be someone you can trust," Hope said.
At that point Jamey began to cry.
"That's what I want to see right there -- tears," Hope said.
New Chapel CEO Matt Owen also spoke. He began his statement by reading off the names of all the people in his department who lost their jobs due to Noel's actions, which subsequently led to the department losing most of its EMS contracts.
"Our service was bigger than you," he said. "But unfortunately the shadow of your actions made us all out to be suspected criminals. Not just me, but EMTs who responded to calls for service."
Noel is accused of spending more than $3 million on himself, his family and friends using Utica Township Volunteer Firefighters Association credit cards. His estranged wife Misty Noel and their daughter Kasey Noel are also facing charges.
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.