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Indiana State Police: Jamey Noel and family spent $300,000 on vacations using fire department funds

Indiana State Police investigators also say Noel spent over $50,000 in fire department funds on cigars at Jeffersonville shop.

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — The former southern Indiana sheriff facing 25 felony charges spent more than $300,000 on vacations over a five-year span with money that did not belong to him, according to court documents released Wednesday.

Previous court documents sworn to by Indiana State Police Lt. Jeffrey Hearon showed former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel, his wife Misty Noel, and their daughter Kasey Noel, racked up about $5 million in personal charges on Utica Township Volunteer Firefighter Association credit cards. All three pleaded not guilty to numerous felonies.

Indiana State Police have been investigating Jamey Noel since last June. Hearon is the lead investigator on the case.

On Wednesday, it was revealed Jamey spent $132,467.39 on Marriott Vacation Club expenses from 2018 to 2023, and $68,954.48 on Marriott Ownership Resorts Incorporated timeshares. Hearon also stated Jamey and Misty took out a $83,644.06 loan in September 2019 and made monthly payments of about $1,400 using a UTVFA credit card.

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Jamey Noel was president and CEO of UTVFA for many years until he was terminated by the board earlier this year. 

According to current CEO Matt Owen, Jamey has refused multiple times to turn the cards over. Owen filed a lawsuit in March urging a judge to order American Express to remove Jamey from the account.

According to Hearon, the Noels spent $327,862.55 in UTVFA funds on vacations and travel from 2018-2023. Those charges include Uber rides, airfare, hotels and other expenses. 

No reimbursement was made.

Documents show Hearon is requesting to inspect the Noels' Marriott Vacation Club financial information.

Another set of documents released Wednesday shows Jamey spent $56,662.37 on cigars and related purchases from Riverside Cigar Shop and Lounge in Jeffersonville. Hearon stated the purchases were made with UTVFA funds and no reimbursement was made.

On March 1, Hearon and an ISP detective visited the shop and observed Jamey inside. A worker told them he is a frequent customer.

Hearon requested a warrant to search the establishment's records related to Jamey's purchases.

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. 

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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.

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.

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 recently on 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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