Jamey Noel case | ISP addresses suspended deputy chief auditor

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. – New court documents released Thursday say Jamey Noel used nonprofit fire department funds to purchase two classic cars and gave gifts to former Clark County Deputy Auditor Jessica Huffman.

WHAS11 reported last week that Huffman was suspended. On Thursday, Clark County Auditor Danny Yost confirmed that Huffman was “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 another example of Noel using Utica Township Volunteer Firefighters Association funds to purchase cars.

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According to the affidavit, UTVFA board attorney Heather Archibald-Peters contacted the ISP and provided investigators with bank records and other information believed to indicate a “pattern of theft and embezzlement.” In April, a regular investigation of Noel’s BMV title history was conducted and several duplicate title requests were discovered.

The title for a 1970 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray registered to Noel was examined and Hearon concluded it was purchased at Mecum Auction in September 2018 for $23,410.10.

A review of Mecum’s purchase records revealed that Noel charged his UTVFA credit card $10,063.64 for down payments on the Corvette and a 1971 Chevy Camaro and Noel provided no refund.

Noel led 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 as part of the investigation.

Last month, Hearon released documents showing Noel spent more than $100,000 in stolen funds to buy six classic cars. They were later confiscated 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 WHAS11’s special report on the Noel investigation

Last week it was revealed that the ISP reviewed text messages between the two and later confiscated an iPhone belonging to Huffman. According to the messages, Noel and Huffman often discussed the ongoing investigation into Noel, including a pension for former Clark County Sheriff’s Office employee Bradley Kramer, which 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 using multiple messaging apps, including Snapchat and WhatsApp. According to Hearon, Huffman also created a passcode-protected “My Eyes Only” folder in Snapchat, allowing users to privately save Snaps, photos, videos and Stories.

Multiple backup orders were sent to companies that manage the apps found on Huffman’s phone.

The review revealed that over 100,000 images were stored on the device. According to the affidavit, Huffman used her Clark County credentials to access various databases containing personal information of current and former Sheriff’s Department employees.

Hearon also stated that Huffman appeared to frequently meet with Noel and take photos while the two visited Noel’s historic mansion in Jeffersonville. A broader review revealed that Noel Huffman provided gifts and support for her future candidacy for political office.

Based on the information, Hearon applied for a search warrant for Huffman’s district office and computers, as well as her personal residence and 2019 GMC Terrain.

Noel is currently in prison for contempt of court. His trial is scheduled for November. He pleaded not guilty to 25 counts.

Huffman was not charged.

Jamey Noel is charged with 25 crimes, including theft, tax evasion, corrupt business practices, ghost employment and abuse of office. The ISP investigation began in June 2023 after allegations that Noel directed prison staff to work on his personal property and run his personal errands during county time.

His wife, Misty Noel, faces 10 felony counts; five counts of theft and five counts of tax evasion.

Daughter Kasey Noel faces nine felony charges; five counts of theft and four counts of tax evasion.

According to previous court documents, Hearon identified millions of dollars in personal purchases that all three made using Utica Township Volunteer Firefighter Association credit cards. He also alleged that they failed to disclose their tax revenues over a period of five years.

Jamey led UTVFA until January, when he was ousted by the board.

In March, investigators discovered that Jamey and Misty had made over $100,000 in tuition and education-related payments using the cards. Hearon asked a judge for permission to search Indiana University records on Josey and Gracy Noel — Jamey and Misty’s other daughters currently enrolled at IU campuses.

In April, ISP said the family spent more than $300,000 in fire department funds on the vacation without reimbursement. Noel was sentenced to 60 days in jail on April 9 after a judge found him in contempt of court for having firearms in his home, a violation of his bail conditions.

The investigation also revealed that Jamey fathered a child with former Clark County Councilwoman Brittney Ferree and paid child support using UTVFA funds.

Jamey Noel’s extensive automobile collection has been examined by investigators since the investigation began.

There are 133 vehicles registered to the Utica Township Volunteer Fire Department and New Chapel EMS, according to court documents. A review of these vehicles found that several were “inconsistent with a non-profit fire and rescue service company.”

Jamey is accused of organizing a vehicle trading and sales scheme in which he traded several UTVFA-registered cars for vehicles that he then registered for his personal use. In some cases he is said to have sold them and pocketed the money.

Court documents released in early March indicate that 26 containers containing surplus military equipment from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office were found at a property in Deputy, Indiana. Hearon alleged that Noel sold several items from the sheriff’s office and sold them for personal gain.

The investigation also focused on former Scott County Sheriff Kenneth Hughbanks, a friend and associate of Jamey’s. Hearon said Hughbanks failed to report income in excess of $200,000 on his taxes. He was not charged.