JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — New court documents released Thursday claim Jamey Noel used non-profit fire department funds to purchase two classic cars, and provided gifts to former Clark County Chief Deputy Auditor Jessica Huffman.
WHAS11 reported last week Huffman was suspended. On Thursday, Clark County Auditor Danny Yost confirmed Huffman is "no longer employed" by the county.
Indiana State Police Lt. Jeffrey Hearon has been investigating Noel, the former Clark County sheriff, for nearly a year. Three new probable cause affidavits were released Thursday, and one provided yet another example of Noel using funds from the Utica Township Volunteer Firefighters Association to purchase automobiles.
RELATED: More guns found in Jamey Noel's possession; judge threatens more jail time if it happens again
According to the affidavit, UTVFA board attorney Heather Archibald-Peters contacted ISP and provided bank records and other information believed to indicate a "pattern of theft and embezzlement" to investigators. In April, a periodic inquiry of Noel's BMV title history was conducted and multiple requests for duplicate titles were discovered.
The title for a 1970 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray registered to Noel was reviewed, and Hearon determined it was purchased from Mecum Auction in September 2018 for $23,410.10.
A review of Mecum's purchase paperwork indicated Noel charged $10,063.64 to his UTVFA credit card for down payments on the Corvette and a 1971 Chevy Camaro, and no reimbursement was provided by Noel.
Noel ran the UTVFA for many years until the board voted him out earlier this year. Noel, his wife, and their daughter all had credit cards and racked up millions of dollars in personal purchases, according to previous court documents released in the investigation.
Last month, Hearon released documents suggesting Noel spent over $100,000 in stolen funds to purchase six classic cars. They were later seized and towed from Noel's property.
Documents released Thursday also shed more light on the relationship between Noel and Huffman, who was suspended last week.
Watch the WHAS11 special report on the Noel investigation
Last week it was revealed ISP reviewed text messages between the two and later seized an iPhone belonging to Huffman. Messages indicated Noel and Huffman often discussed the ongoing investigation into Noel, including a pension for former Clark County Sheriff's Office employee Bradley Kramer ISP believes he should not have received.
According to the new documents, the phone's data was downloaded by investigators last Thursday. Huffman and Noel communicated with several messaging apps, including Snapchat and Whats App. According to Hearon, Huffman also set up a "My Eyes Only" passcode protected folder inside Snapchat, which allows users to privately store Snaps, photos, videos and stories.
Multiple preservation orders were sent to companies who administer the apps found on Huffman's phone.
The review found over 100,000 images saved on the device. Huffman used her Clark County credentials to access various databases containing personal information for current and former sheriff's department employees, according to the affidavit.
Hearon also stated it appears Huffman met with Noel frequently and took photographs while the two of them visited Noel's historic mansion in Jeffersonville. A more comprehensive review showed Noel provided Huffman with gifts and assistance for her future run for political office.
Huffman's attorney declined to comment Thursday.
Based on the information, Hearon requested a search warrant for Huffman's county office and computer, and her personal residence and 2019 GMC Terrain.
Noel is currently in jail on a contempt of court charge. His trial is scheduled for November. He pleaded not guilty to 25 felony counts.
Huffman has not been charged.
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.
Daughter 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.
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 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.