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Indiana ex-sheriff's criminal case expands: Five arrested over fund misuse

The investigation into Jamey Noel began in June 2023. It has expanded to include several other people, including his family members.
Credit: 5NEWS

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — The Indiana State Police investigation into former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel is over a year old and continues to expand.

Noel was the first person to be arrested, followed by two of his family members, a current police officer and councilman, and former councilwoman.

Here's everyone who has been arrested in the order they were taken into custody.

Jamey Noel

Noel is facing 31 felony charges, including counts of theft, tax evasion, corrupt business practices, ghost employment, official misconduct and money laundering. Police arrested Noel on Nov. 8, 2023.

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.

Jamey ran Utica Township Volunteer Firefighter Association (UTVFA) for many years until January when he was ousted by the board.

While in jail on a contempt of court charge, his bond was increased to $1.5 million after he was charged with six additional felonies. He remains at the Scott County Jail.

The bulk of the investigation has focused on Noel's alleged spending on UTVFA credit cards, with investigators saying he made millions of dollars' worth of personal purchases. He's also had numerous vehicles from his personal collection seized.

RELATED: Ex-sheriff Jamey Noel to change plea and admit guilt in criminal case

Credit: Indiana State Police
Former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel's mugshot. | Nov. 8, 2023

Misty Noel 

Jamey's wife, Misty Noel, pleaded not guilty to 10 felonies; five counts of theft and five counts of tax evasion. She turned herself into local authorities on Feb. 1, 2024.

According to court documents, from 2018-2022 Misty is accused of filing a false tax return or making a false statement to defraud the state of Indiana or avoid paying a tax.

The state also detailed five instances between February 2019 and August 2023 in which Misty is alleged to have "knowingly or intentionally" exerted unauthorized control over the property of the Utica Township Volunteer Firefighters Association.

On Aug. 1, Misty filed for divorce from Jamey, citing an "irretrievable breakdown" in the marriage, according to court records. The same day, Kasey and Misty filed motions to join their criminal cases together.

Misty's trial is scheduled to start Oct. 28.

Credit: Clark County Sheriff's Office
Misty Noel

Kasey Noel

Jamey's daughter, Kasey Noel, pleaded not guilty to nine felonies; five counts of theft and four counts of tax evasion. Police arrested her on March 8, 2024.

According to previous court documents, Hearon found millions of dollars of personal purchases made by Jamey, Misty and Kasey on Utica Township Volunteer Firefighter Association credit cards. He also stated they failed to disclose income on their taxes over a five-year span.

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.

She filed a motion recently to allow Lisa Fontes to testify in her case. According to Fontes' website, she holds a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of Massachusetts, and is an expert witness in legal cases related to "intimate partner abuse (or coercive control), trauma and child abuse."

Her trial was originally scheduled for Aug. 20, but the judge overseeing the case granted a request to delay the trial. A new date hasn't been set yet.

RELATED: Expert witness in coercive control to be called in Kasey Noel case to detail Jamey Noel's 'manipulation' of family

Credit: Scott County Jail
Kasey Noel, daughter of former Indiana sheriff Jamey Noel and Misty Noel, was arrested Friday. All three are facing multiple felonies.

John Miller

John Miller, who serves as a Clarksville police officer and Clark County councilman, was arrested Friday. 

Court documents released Aug. 1 indicated the Indiana State Police investigation into Noel expanded to include Miller. Lt. Jeffrey Hearon, the lead investigator on the case, said Miller received 20-25 free meals and concert tickets from Noel. 

According to the court documents, meals, airfare, lodging and concert tickets for Miller were paid for using Utica Township Volunteer Firefighters Association funds. Additionally, Hearon was investigating whether Miller broke conflict of interest rules by voting to approve various ordinances pertaining to UTVFA, also known as New Chapel Fire and EMS, in his capacity as a Clark County councilman.

An affidavit released by ISP Friday outlined six instances between February 2021 and August 2022 when Miller voted to approve funding for New Chapel Fire, another name for UTVFA, without disclosing his potential conflict of interest.

Miller is a Clark County councilman and Clarksville police officer. 

Credit: Clark County Jail
Miller

RELATED: Officer John Miller, former Councilwoman Brittney Ferree arrested in Jamey Noel investigation

Brittney Ferree

Former Clark County Councilwoman Brittney Ferree turned herself in on Friday according to authorities. 

Noel fathered a child with Ferree, and according to previous court documents, she accepted $104,971.51 in child support payments from Noel paid with UTVFA funds. In July, Hearon stated in court documents a review of UTVFA credit card statements showed Noel and Ferree took at least three trips on the department's dime. 

Records indicated the two traveled to New York City in April 2019, Tampa in May 2022 and New Orleans in July 2022. Airfare for the three trips totaled $2,030.06. 

Hearon said Noel gave Ferree $114,070 in UTVFA funds for child support, travel and other expenses. The investigation also questioned a BMW gifted by Noel to Ferree.

Credit: Clark County Jail
Brittney Ferree

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