CLARK COUNTY, Ind. — A former southern Indiana sheriff and political powerhouse in the state Republican party will spend the next 12 years behind bars after pleading guilty to over 25 felonies in a large-scale corruption, theft and fraud case.
Jamey Noel — the former sheriff of Clark County — pled guilty in August to 27 felony counts of theft, tax evasion, official misconduct, money laundering and more. On Monday, he was officially sentenced to 12 years in prison and three years of probation, according to FOX station WDRB.
Additionally, Noel was ordered to pay over $3 million in restitution to local first responder groups. Special Judge Larry Medlock reportedly called Noel’s actions “reprehensible” as he accepted the former sheriff’s plea deal, WDRB reported.
“One outlandish discovery after another,” Medlock reportedly said. “You have failed everyone … bullying those who would not submit to your will.”
Noel, 53, pled guilty on Aug. 26 to the 27 felony counts, nearly a year after being arrested as state police crews raided his southern Indiana home. The charges included:
- Theft – Level 5 Felony
- 15 counts
- Tax Evasion – Level 6 Felony
- 5 counts
- Official Misconduct – Level 6 Felony
- 4 counts
- Money Laundering – Level 5 Felony
- 1 count
- Corrupt Business Influence – Level 5 Felony
- 1 count
- Obstruction of Justice – Level 6 Felony
- 1 count
Vintage cars, Hooters and more
The sentencing is the result of a months-long Indiana State Police corruption probe that revealed Noel ran up over $2 million in personal expenses on a credit card that belonged to local fire and EMS departments he controlled as sheriff from 2015 to 2022.
As sheriff, Noel reportedly used the cards to pay for vacations, concerts, clothes, Rolex watches, cars, food, alcohol, child support, college tuition and more. It’s estimated he bought over 100 cars, including public safety vehicles, a 1930 Ford Roadster, pick-up trucks, and two classic 1970s Plymouth Road Runners.
The investigation also revealed that Noel purchased several military surplus items, outfitted a sheriff’s air fleet and allegedly put taxpayer-subsidized fuel in his private airplane. The former sheriff even charged over $2,500 to a Hooter’s restaurant in Jeffersonville, court records show.
Other accusations
Noel — who was identified in a leaked membership list of a far-right extremist group in 2022 — also reportedly utilized county employees to work on his private property and offered to sell those employees public vehicles at reduced prices. This resulted in ghost employment charges being filed against him — all of which were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
In addition to this case, Noel was named in a 2022 lawsuit where he was accused of poor oversight and inadequate supervision at the local jail. The lawsuit — which claimed female inmates were raped and assaulted by male inmates — accused the sheriff of hiring jail officers without adequately training them.
Sentencing, millions in restitution/fines
Noel was officially sentenced Monday to 12 years in prison and three years of probation. WDRB reported that Judge Medlock said the former sheriff probably deserved a lifetime in prison for his conduct, but that sentence is not allowed.
“You’ve tarnished the badge and failed everyone in law enforcement,” Medlock said.
The judge fined Noel $270,000 in court fees, saying it was because he “worship[s] at the altar of money.”
Noel was also ordered to pay back over $2,870,924 to the Utica Volunteer Firefighters Association, $61,190.77 to the Sheriff’s Department, $173,155.07 to the Dept. of Revenue and $35,245.60 to the state police.
Up until Monday, Noel was being held in the Scott County Jail on a $1.5 million bond. His jury trial was scheduled to begin in November.
Wife, daughter charged
Jamey Noel is not the only member of his family who allegedly benefitted from the stolen funds and corrupt business practices. His wife Misty and daughter Kasey face felony theft and fraud charges after also reportedly participating in the scheme.
Court records show Misty was charged in February 2024 with 10 counts of theft and tax evasion after investigators discovered she was the CEO and CFO for various businesses associated with Jamey. She reportedly used stolen money and benefitted from the tax evasion and theft.
A jury trial in Misty’s case was scheduled to begin on Oct. 28, but has since been delayed to 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 28.
Meanwhile, Kasey allegedly functioned as the executive assistant at Jamey’s businesses and had access to stolen money. She reportedly charged more than $108,660.59 on an American Express credit card belonging to the Utica Volunteer Fire Department and New Chapel EMS.
The credit card purchases, which allegedly took place between October 2018 and September 2023, included clothing, cosmetics, manicure and pedicure services, food, tickets, trips, alcohol, utilities, vaping products, gas, Netflix and various Amazon orders.
Kasey now faces nine counts of tax evasion and theft in connection to these allegations. A jury trial in her case has been delayed to begin Nov. 28 as well.
