LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Monday could mark the final word in former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel’s criminal case.
Noel will return to the courtroom for a possible sentencing.
In a plea deal brought forth in August, Noel pleaded guilty to 27 of the 31 felony charges he is facing. Noel would be ordered to pay more than $3 million in restitution and serve up to 15 years in prison.
Judge Larry Medlock said he will not accept the plea deal until he has heard from victims of Noel’s alleged crimes.
Currently, 19 people are signed up to provide impact statements at the hearing.
WHAS11 News spoke with prosecutor Ric Hertel who told us he has been hearing from the victims.
“Many of them expressed pleasure – sounds bad but satisfaction that he is going to go to a prison system,” he said.
Some victims also don’t believe the deal provides them justice.
After Medlock hears from the victims, it would be up to him whether to accept Noel’s plea or throw it out.
Monday is Columbus Day and all Clark County courts will be closed. However, several other courtrooms will be open as overflow rooms if members of the public want to watch a stream of the sentencing. There will also be 75 seats in the courtroom, but some of those will be set aside for the state, the defendant and people who have attended previously.
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.
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 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.
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.
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