Former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel from southern Indiana has admitted to 27 charges, including theft, official misconduct, tax evasion, and money laundering. He acknowledged spending over $3 million in local funds on personal expenses such as travel, gifts, and vehicles, as per his plea agreement. Noel, 53, is set to serve a 15-year prison sentence and pay restitution.
The plea deal excludes four counts of ghost employment in which Noel allegedly had his employees carry out personal tasks for him. Despite the guilty plea, Special Judge Larry Medlock expressed the need to hear from individuals affected by Noel’s actions before finalizing the agreement. Medlock described how Noel had utilized funds from the Utica Township Volunteer Firefighters Association for personal gain.
Prior to his plea, Noel served as the elected Republican sheriff of Clark County for two consecutive terms before leaving in 2022. His legal troubles are predominantly linked to his tenure as president and CEO of the Utica Township Volunteer Firefighters Association, where numerous irregularities were uncovered by Indiana State Police investigations.
Noel’s family members, wife Misty Noel, and daughter Kasey Noel also face theft and tax evasion charges in connection to the misappropriation of funds. Misty and Kasey have entered not guilty pleas, with jury trials scheduled separately. The plea agreement outlines a restitution plan for Noel to repay various entities, including the fire association and law enforcement agencies.
The judge overseeing the case emphasized the severity of Noel’s offences, referring to the misuse of funds as akin to treating the firefighter association’s finances as a “personal piggy bank.” Noel’s guilty pleas mark a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding his financial misconduct.
