Former Indiana Sheriff Jamey Noel has been sentenced to 15 years in prison as part of a plea deal

Former Indiana Sheriff Jamey Noel listens to victim statements made Monday, October 14, 2024, during a Clark County Circuit Court hearing in Jeffersonville, Indiana. (Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

Former Clark County Sheriff and old Republican operative Jamey Noel could spend more than a decade in prison after a judge accepted his guilty pleas to more than a dozen felony charges Monday. The plea deal ends Noel’s part of the case — which state police called the largest in the agency’s history — but other investigations are ongoing.

Noel was originally charged with 31 felonies for allegedly misusing funds from the fire and ambulance services he oversaw. He pleaded guilty to 27 of them in August.

Washington County Special Judge Larry Medlock officially accepted Noel’s plea Monday after two hours of victim testimony in open court. 21 statements have been made, including from law enforcement officers who previously worked with or under Noel, and from Hoosiers in Clark County and neighboring communities whose lives have been “turned upside down” by the former sheriff’s actions.

In many reported cases, it was Noel’s mismanagement of millions of taxpayers’ money, which victims said will harm their families and communities “for years to come.”

“As firefighters, first responders and public servants, we take a higher oath. We are held to a higher standard of integrity,” said Roger Montgomery Jr., a first responder who worked for Noel from 2005 to 2011. Montgomery said firefighters and paramedics under Noel’s command did not have proper equipment, and that emergency personnel were tasked with driving Noel’s vehicles. personal ‘limousines’, sometimes with only one firefighter on duty – and ‘putting the lives of citizens at risk’.

He also said non-emergency transfers were often prioritized over 911 calls because those trips generated “more money” from Medicare and Medicaid.

“Jamey Noel betrayed the trust of the public, and of every first responder – or anyone else who has ever worn a badge and taken that oath,” Montgomery continued. “He knowingly did that for personal gain, and that personal gain took precedence over the patients and the lives of the people who worked for him.”

Noel, who appeared in court in handcuffs and wearing an orange jumpsuit and pink handcuffs, sat largely expressionless at the defense table during Monday’s hearing, although he burst into tears after a letter – written by his niece – issued a stark rebuke: “Grandma and grandpa would be very disappointed.”

Noel was also emotional as he read a prepared statement, which emphasized his family’s innocence.

‘It’s all my fault. … (My family), like everyone else, was a victim of my deception, and I hope they can forgive me,” Noel said before reciting a Catholic prayer.

Noel agreed to plead guilty to charges of theft, money laundering, corrupt business influence, official misconduct, obstruction of justice and tax evasion. Four counts of ghost labor were dismissed as part of the settlement.

“You have tarnished the badge and failed everyone in law enforcement,” Medlock told Noel just before the sentencing. The judge said he would have preferred a harsher sentence, but feared that would make the case ripe for appeal.

Noel is now starting a fifteen-year prison sentence, three of which are suspended. With the judge’s approval, Noel will receive credit for time served starting June 8. Under state law, good behavior in prison could allow Noel to shave time off his sentence, leaving him behind bars for about nine and a half years. .

Victims turn to the court

In addition, the plea deal includes an agreement for Noel to repay more than $3.1 million in public funds: $2,870,924 to the Utica Volunteer Firefighters Association; $61,190 to the Clark County Sheriff’s Department; $173,155 to the Indiana Department of Revenue; and $35,245 to the Indiana State Police.

Noel also faces a $270,000 fine as determined by Medlock, who imposed $10,000 for each guilty count.

Noel agreed to the settlement nearly a year after he was arrested and Indiana State Police investigators raided his southern Indiana home.

Noel posted $75,000 bond in November 2023, but has been held in the Scott County Jail since April after Medlock increased his bond to $1.5 million. The case was originally scheduled to go to trial in November.

Based on findings from a lengthy Indiana State Police investigation, prosecutors alleged that Noel used millions of taxpayer dollars from the Utica Volunteer Firefighters Association and New Chapel EMS to purchase cars, planes, vacations, clothing and other personal luxury purchases. Investigators said public funds were also used to pay college tuition and child support.

The disgraced former sheriff also admitted to assigning county employees tasks related to his personal collection of classic cars. At least 40 vehicles were seized by police, including a slew of classics such as two 1970 Plymouth Superbirds, a 1959 Corvette and 1966 and 1968 Chargers, according to search warrant filings.

Court documents further indicate at least $33,000 in public funds used by Noel to make contributions to various Republican candidates and campaigns between 2020 and 2023.

Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter, who addressed the court Monday, recalled conversations about money management with Noel in 2015. But Carter said Noel was looking for power, control and money, rather than aiming to build ‘public trust’.

“Politics should never be the first priority… but it was for Jamey,” Carter said.

Noel’s wife, Misty – who has since filed for divorce from her husband – and daughter, Kasey, are charged separately with theft and tax evasion. Both have pleaded not guilty. An Oct. 28 trial date was postponed Monday afternoon. The court has not yet indicated a new timetable.

What comes next Noël

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb said in August that there would be no pardon for Noel from his government.

The governor — a longtime associate and friend of Noel — said clemency proceedings require a review of the conviction and sentencing. Such a process, Holcomb added, “would take place long after my term ended…years later.”

The governor did not immediately respond to a request for comment after Noel’s conviction.

Noel led Holcomb’s 2016 campaign and served on his transition team. He also chaired Holcomb’s re-election bid and attended President Donald Trump’s inauguration in Washington DC prior to Holcomb at a personal invitation from former Governor Mike Pence, Trump’s vice president.

Noel additionally faces several civil lawsuits, including two filed by Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, in an attempt to force Noel to repay the government agencies from which he allegedly took public money to pay for his personal expenses .

In one lawsuit, Rokita said Noel should be required to repay the Clark County Jail Fund more than $900,000 for “money that was embezzled, diverted or misapplied,” which was cited in a lawsuit. audit report filed by the State Board of Accounts in February.

Rokita also requested a restraining order that would temporarily restrict Noel from selling real estate, stocks and bonds, vehicles, firearms, clothing and jewelry while the attorney general’s legal challenges are pending.

A court ruling in May banned the Noel family from selling assets. The civil cases are still ongoing the next hearing is scheduled for November 13.

In addition, Noel is also facing a lawsuit filed by the children of his late brother Leon. They claim that Noel stole from their inheritance when he managed their father’s estate.

It remains uncertain whether Noel will be eligible for a government pension. State officials told the Capital Chronicle last month that Noel’s state police service could make him eligible for retirement benefits, but Carter told reporters Monday that Noel previously only received a “separation benefit” because he did not meet the agency’s retirement requirements.

Still, Noel was able to remain eligible for benefits at the provincial level.

Special Prosecutor Ric Hertel, of Ripley County, said in a news briefing after the hearing that he was unsure that could happen with potential pensions, but said he is awaiting further guidance from the court on the restitution process.

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