LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel was sentenced to 12 years in prison Monday after previously pleading guilty to 27 felonies. 

The sentence was actually 15 years in prison but three of those years were suspended to probation. A lengthy investigation found Noel took public money for years to support a lavish lifestyle.

"It's all my fault," Noel said in court shortly before Judge Larry Medlock sentenced him.

Through tears, Noel apologized to law enforcement, the community of Clark County, and his family. 

"They were victims of my deceit just like anybody else. I hope they can forgive me," Noel said.

Noel, 53, pleaded guilty to theft, obstruction of justice, tax evasion, money laundering, corrupt business influence and official misconduct Aug. 26. He agreed to a plea deal nearly one year after he was arrested and Indiana State Police investigators raided his home in southern Indiana.

Special Judge Larry Medlock reticently accepted a plea agreement Monday afternoon, calling for the incarceration and millions in restitution, telling Noel his "greed" caused tremendous pain for employees, family members and the people in the Clark County community.

Aside from being the former sheriff, Noel also previously led New Chapel EMS. 

"A lots changed," said Special Prosecutor Ric Hertel after the hearing, talking about Noel. "Law enforcement for 30 years, district chair, CEO, and now inmate at the department of corrections."

On Monday, more than 20 statements from people affected by Noel were shared with the judge. People spoke on stories of loss and concerns over the money Noel took from public agencies like New Chapel EMS.

"It could've been the right way," Shawn Bostock said at the sentencing. "It could've been the right way. But greed took over. You took something great and your dwindled it down to where it cost people their lives because of long EMS response times, improper equipment."

Angie Payton, a community member, said Noel had been living on other people's money for years.

"There are many members of the community who are very upset," Payton said. "Do you know where my vacation is? It's in your pocket. Or it's going to property taxes that keep getting raised because Clark County doesn't have any money."

Medlock said Noel probably deserved a lifetime in prison for his conduct, but that sentence is not allowed. The judge also fined Noel $270,000 "since you worship at the alter of money." 

People who were close to Noel said their friendship and trust were betrayed. Clark County Sheriff's Office Assistant Chief Mark Grube said in the sheriff's office, Noel ran things "as a one man show."

Grube said anyone who asked financial questions was bullied and criticized. 

"When I was responsible for jail operations, I was forbidden from asking how many positions we had available and I was forbidden from asking financial questions to his secretary, as she was forbidden from discussing finances with us," he said.

Noel can't appeal the sentencing because it was a plea deal, but he will get credit for at least some of this time already served. In addition to his time behind bars, Noel is also expected to pay back millions of dollars.

As part of the plea deal, Noel was ordered to pay more than $3.1 million in restitution to four different public agencies:

  • $2,870,924 to Utica Township Volunteers Firefighters Association (dba New Chapel EMS)
  • $173,155.07 to the Indiana Department of Revenue
  • $61,190.77 to the Clark County Sheriff's Department
  • $35,245.60 to Indiana State Police 

Coy Travis, a spokesperson and attorney for New Chapel EMS, said the organization has been through a lot.

"We've tried to be as transparent as possible about how Jamey's crimes have affected the company's ability to meet our mission of providing high quality emergency medical services and transport services to the southern Indiana community," Travis said. 

He said he's optimistic the organization will get the money it's owed.

"There are a number of assets out there that can be sold for value," Travis said.

Hertel said while there are several assets in Noel's name, he's not sure those will cover the full amount.

"Whether or not the assets will cover that, I don't know that fact right now," said Hertel. "I don't. I think that will be someone doing an accounting of it, what he still owes on some of these personal properties and real properties and what equity he might have in those."

He said an order will likely be coming to address restitution. 

"That's something the judge will sort out and/or in the civil lawsuit with the attorney general. My position is, we've entered that amount in the plea agreement but how it tends to occur is going to be more of a court decision or in a civil action," said Hertel.

New Chapel EMS recently stopped 911 emergency runs. It's only doing non-emergent runs like transfers to nursing homes or interfacility transfers. Travis hopes to use the restitution to help meet the organization's mission, which could add 911 services back or help in other ways.

"We want to get what is owed to us and what was stolen from us as quickly as possible that will all play out over the coming weeks and months," Travis said.

He said looking to New Chapel's future, the "best fit" for the organization may be continuing with it's non-emergent runs to help take that load off other providers taking emergency calls. He also said a timeframe on getting that money depends on several factors.

"Our goal is to expedite handling this as quickly as possible so that everyone who has been wronged by this can get whatever it is they are owed," said Travis.

The former Clark County Sheriff was sentenced to 12 years in prison after dozens of charges.

Hertel said while this case is done, there are still four other people who have been charged related to the investigation. In court on Oct. 7, Misty and Kasey Noel were there to discuss plans for their trial, scheduled for the same day — Oct. 28 — but a plea deal may now be in the works.

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 in April 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 Kasey Noel charged more than $100,000 to the Utica Township Volunteer Firefighters Association and New Chapel EMS. 

During his sentencing Monday, Noel spoke specifically about this wife and daughter, saying he controlled the finances for the family. 

"I ask my kids to forgive me. Not being honest with them about where the money was spent or came from," he said.

Noel said his "dishonesty" has caused his children emotional pain and suffering.

"... and my daughter Kasey could lose her freedom because of me," he said. "It's all my fault and my family had no knowledge of the business I was running or how I was running it."

Four of Noel's charges of felony ghost employment were dismissed as part of the plea deal. Noel has been in custody in the Scott County Jail on a $1.5 million bond. His jury trial was scheduled to begin in November.

"At least in my eyes, the grip Jamey Noel had on this community is over," Hertel said. "And nobody has to go through him to get elected for anything, to get medical care for anything, or to report a crime."

Noel's attorney did not return a request for a comment or interview Tuesday.

Related Stories:

Copyright 2024 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.