JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — The jury trial for Jamey Noel, the former southern Indiana sheriff charged with 25 felonies, will not begin until the fall.
Special Judge Larry Medlock set a trial date of Nov. 6 for Noel, whom he sent to jail Tuesday after finding him in contempt of court. Noel has been under investigation by Indiana State Police since June 2023.
The trial date falls one day after Election Day. Judge Medlock set the date Tuesday, according to court documents, likely just moments after delivering a thunderous gavel slam in court and sending Noel to jail for 60 days on the contempt charge.
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Noel was arrested in November. He is charged with multiple counts of theft, tax evasion, corrupt business practices, ghost employment and official misconduct.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges and posted $75,000 bail on Nov. 9. His bond conditions required him to surrender all weapons except for one shotgun.
ISP investigators found two semi-automatic handguns in his basement during a March 13 search. His attorneys argued in court Tuesday it was an oversight, but Judge Medlock didn't buy it.
"I told Mr. Noel [in November], 'Don't do anything stupid. Do not try to deceive me or defy me. You will not like the consequences,'" Judge Medlock said. "Today is that day. You are not the law. You don't interpret the law. You don't enforce the law. You're not above the law.
"Every time I go into court I hear, 'I didn't know it was there. I didn't know it was there.' I've heard that a million times."
Misty Noel and Kasey Noel -- Jamey's wife and their daughter -- were also arrested. Misty was charged with five counts of theft and five counts of tax evasion, and Kasey was charged with five counts of theft and four counts of tax evasion.
Both pleaded not guilty. Their trial dates have not been set.
Jamey Noel, the former Clark County sheriff, is being held in the Scott County Jail.
CASE BACKGROUND
Jamey Noel is facing 25 felony charges, including counts of theft, tax evasion, corrupt business practices, ghost employment and official misconduct. 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 is facing 10 felonies; five counts of theft and five counts of tax evasion.
Kasey Noel is facing 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 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.
The investigation also uncovered Jamey fathered a child with former Clark County Councilwoman Brittney Ferree and paid 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.