LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Indiana State Police investigators have seized several items from Jessica Huffman, the now former Clark County chief deputy auditor, in the ongoing fraud investigation into former Sheriff Jamey Noel.

According to court documents, ISP took several items, including electronic devices, documents, and other evidence from Huffman's office at the Clark County Government Center, her Jeffersonville home and personal SUV.

An affidavit shows when police seized Noel's phone as part of their investigation, they found text messages with Huffman about the pension status of his brother-in-law. 

Noel is accused of altering records so his brother-in-law, the jail matron, would receive a pension when he wasn't actually entitled to that money.

Jamey Noel in orange jumpsuit

FILE -- Pictured: former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel at a recent court appearance. (WDRB/archive)

Investigators say Noel and Huffman had a relationship for three years, would meet frequently, and communicated recently.

Affidavits released Thursday say Huffman communicated with Noel about matters connected to the investigation.

The documents claim Huffman sent Noel a photo of an email from the chief deputy of the sheriff's department to Huffman asking about another sheriff's officer named in the investigation.

Huffman is no longer employed by Clark County Government, Clark County Auditor Danny Yost confirmed to WDRB News Thursday night.

A 1970 Chevrolet Corvette, belonging to Noel, was also seized from an auto repair shop in Austin, Indiana.

According to the latest search warrants, Noel bought the Corvette and another vintage car at an auction in 2018 and paid the down payment for the purchase with a Utica Township Fire Department credit card. The affidavit shows Noel did not pay back the $10,000 to the fire department. Classic cars have been seized from Noel in the past as part of the investigation. 

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'd been out of jail after posting a $75,000 cash bond. As one of the terms of his release, Noel was prohibited from having firearms, aside from a shotgun for "personal protection." But he was ordered to appear in court after two pistols were found in his home by ISP detectives during a search of the family home.

Noel, his wife, and his daughter 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.

On Monday, former FBI agent Todd Brown detailed a search he conducted a few months ago. Brown told the court he found a pistol in a closet on the first floor of his home and another pistol in the master bedroom closet. There was also a shotgun found, but Noel was allowed to have that for protection.

ISP obtained a search warrant last month and went to Noel's Jeffersonville pole barn on Old Salem Road where they seized six classic vehicles, ranging from the 1930s to the 1970s. Court documents detail how Noel stole money from the Utica Township Firefighter's Association to buy them. 

In one instance, Noel allegedly stole money from the fire department, and transferred money into his deceased brother's estate, only to write a check from that account on the same day to buy a 1969 Road Runner. State police also accuse Noel of lying on car titles, altering the purchase amounts and buying and selling dates. Someone applied for duplicate titles for the cars just two weeks ago, catching the attention of investigators.

Noel was sentenced to 60 days in prison April 10 after being found in contempt of court for violating his bond conditions. He's serving that sentence in the Scott County jail.

And investigators have said even more charges are likely. To date, investigators have made public more than 50 search warrants and their findings since their probe began last summer, each outlining evidence seized or otherwise learned in the case.

Noel's wife Misty, and daughter Kasey, are facing multiple felony charges for theft and tax evasion. 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.

According to the detailed charges, Kasey Noel purchased clothing, tanning, cosmetics, manicure and pedicure services, food, tickets, trips, alcohol, utilities, vaping products, gas, Netflix and items from Amazon. The charges occurred between October 2018 and September 2023, totaling $108,660.59.

Misty and Kasey Noel have since pleaded not guilty and are out of jail on bond. 

Related Stories:

Copyright 2024 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.