LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The criminal investigation into a former southern Indiana sheriff is now leading investigators to Indiana University.

According to a search warrant filed Wednesday, Indiana State Police investigators are looking into whether former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel used taxpayer money to pay college tuition for two of his daughters. 

The warrant points to a $38,000 payment made on Feb. 8 of this year.

Noel was arrested in November 2023 on 15 felony charges related to fraud, misconduct, theft, ghost employment and public corruption after a nearly yearlong investigation that is ongoing. Another 10 charges were filed against him in early February, including theft and tax evasion. He's has been out of jail after posting a $75,000 bond the day after his arrest, following his first court appearance.

According to the probable cause affidavit, the $38,000 payment was made using a New Chapel EMS credit card. 

Investigators now want to look at financial records for tuition, housing invoices, meal plans, book fees, and more from IU for two of Noel's daughters who attend the university in Bloomington. They're also asking for PayPal and Venmo payment records for Noel, his wife, Misty Noel, and his children.

Last week, New Chapel Fire and EMS filed a lawsuit against Noel, claiming he hasn't given back the New Chapel credit cards in question even though he was removed as chief earlier this year, and may still be charging items on them. New Chapel's new chief Matt Owen said last week that he's reached out to the credit card companies directly, but was been told he's unable to close the accounts or make any changes while they are still in Noel's name.

Noel, his wife, and his daughter Kasey Noel, are accused of racking up millions of dollars on trips, expensive clothes, jewelry, tanning, gas, alcohol, vaping products, salon services and more. The charges are among millions police accuse the three charged to fire department credit cards and paid with fire department funds.

Misty Noel was charged with 10 felonies in the case. She was arrested in February and spent a weekend in the Scott County Detention Center before her first court appearance, and was released from jail after posting a $30,000 cash bond. 

Kasey Noel was arrested earlier this month on nine felony charges, including five counts of theft and four counts of tax evasion. Search warrants in the corruption case of Jamey Noel indicate his daughter charged more than $100,000 to the Utica Volunteer Fire Department and New Chapel EMS. 

The Noels have each pleaded not guilty to the charges against them and are awaiting further court hearings later this year.

Additionally, search warrants released Tuesday show two guns were found at Noel's home, despite a condition of his bond that prohibited him from having any firearms upon his release from jail — aside from one shotgun for personal protection at his request. Noel could be held in contempt of court, and has been ordered to appear in court to explain why he had the guns. A court date has not yet been set.

To date, investigators have made public roughly 50 search warrants and their findings since their probe began last summer, each outlining evidence seized or otherwise learned in the case.

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