JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (WDRB) -- Misty Noel, the wife of former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel, turned herself into authorities Thursday, charged with five counts of theft and five counts of tax evasion.
The case against Misty Noel is connected to months of local and state investigations into her husband, who was arrested in November 2023 on 15 charges related to fraud, theft, misconduct and public corruption.
The charges stem from a nearly yearlong investigation by Jamey Noel's successor, current Clark County Sheriff Scottie Maples — who took over the department in December 2022 — and Indiana State Police.
On Thursday, Jamey Noel's wife, Misty, was arrested, facing 10 counts of fraud and tax evasion.
Hundreds of pages of court documents unsealed following Jamey Noel's arrest in November 2023 detailed evidence found over the course of several months in the investigation. Evidence includes employees reporting they worked at Noel's various properties while on the clock at the sheriff's office or the Clark County Jail and being paid by taxpayers.
Those documents also cite employees who said they poured concrete at a large pole barn Noel built where cars were later stored. One employee said Jamey Noel asked him to work extra hours, including on weekends. He expected Noel to pay him directly, but instead his checks came from the Utica Fire Department.
While serving search warrants at the Noels' home, properties he owned and businesses he ran, investigators found and seized thousands of dollars in cash Noel had: $6,000 inside a vehicle and more than $50,000 in a dresser drawer. Investigators also found 133 vehicles, seizing dozens of them, that were registered through the Utica Fire Department and New Chapel EMS, including a Charger Hellcat, Escalades and a Corvette Stingray.
Four employees told investigators they built a large garage for the vehicles, bought the cars at auction and transported them. One worker shared nearly 6,000 photos, hundreds of videos and years of text messages between himself and Noel about buying and selling cars. He also had photos of a Clark County Sheriff's Office credit card he said Noel gave him to buy parts for the cars.
The Indiana Supreme Court appointed a special judge Thursday to oversee the case against Misty Noel. Washington County Judge Larry Medlock was appointed to oversee Misty Noel's case. He's also handling Jamey Noel's case. During a hearing earlier this month in Jamey Noel's case, prosecutors alluded to his wife's potential arrest. At the time, prosecutors said they didn't yet have probable cause.
Misty Noel (Booking photo via Clark County Jail)
On Thursday morning, Misty Noel's attorney filed a motion in Clark Circuit Court that asks the court to, among other things, allow her to be released on her recognizance.
"Issuing a warrant to bind the defendant in jail pending an initial hearing would be nothing but a cruel spectacle and cause unnecessary embarrassment to the defendant and her family," the motion says.
Misty Noel was booked in and transported to the Scott County Detention Center. She's being held there without bond until her next scheduled court appearance, which is Feb. 5.
And the investigation into Jamey Noel continues to grow. He's pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and was released from jail the day after his arrest after posting a $75,000 bond. ISP said Thursday he's facing five additional theft charges and five additional tax evasion charges.
