Volunteers uncover years of Utica police evidence abandoned at fire station

UTICA, Ind. (WDRB) -- A storage bin full of case files and evidence was discovered Wednesday at a firehouse in Utica.

Shawn Bostoc is one of the volunteers who's cleaning out the firehouse, located on Utica Pike.

"It is unnerving that we can have four years worth of evidence sitting a half mile from the safe it's supposed to be, and nobody knew," Bostock said. "It's a bunch of us, glory day guys, old, retired firefighters going down just to help out the community."

Jeffersonville is taking over this fire station from New Chapel EMS after its fallout in the wake of the Jamey Noel scandal. Noel, the former Clark County sheriff, is in prison serving a 12-year sentence for stealing millions from taxpayers through years of fraud and misconduct.

So the retired firefighters have spent weeks clearing it out. Usually, this means Bostock sweeps, picks up trash or clears out random storage bins and junk. He said it's "all abandoned property."

However, April 30, 2025, was a hot and humid day. When the volunteers moved the totes outside, one began to reek of marijuana.

Utica Police Department evidence discovered at fire station — Shawn Bostock said he found a storage container full of case files, drugs, and other evidence at a Utica fire station.
Shawn Bostock

Bostock said when he opened it up, it was packed with evidence. This includes drivers licenses and illegal drugs.

"Salvia, marijuana, potentially methamphetamine and cocaine," Bostock said. "We find DEA Task Force and FBI task force members' names and numbers. We find drug test kits, medical records and licenses."

The Utica Fire Board confirmed a tub was found with contraband inside. President Joe Jarles said he believes the Utica Police Department is investigating.

Bostock said there were also case files belonging to the Utica Police Department. The case dates ranged from 2021 through March 2024.

"We find police reports, arrest reports, juvenile arrest reports, juvenile victim reports with their names, identifying information," he said. "Ultimately, we did find the officer's name. Of course, it was on all the reports."

Utica Police Chief Randy Burton has yet to confirm that officer's name and hasn't responded to a request for comment on the investigation.

"I can foresee this opening up Pandora's box when it comes to the justice system," Bostock said. "This is evidence in criminal cases."

Indiana State Police had a trooper pick up the drugs discovered in the storage tub.

Bostock said he wants to know where the contraband came from and why it was not stored in an evidence locker.

"The only thing we could get out of our mouths at the time is like, 'Well, it's par for the course,'" Bostock said. "Potential negligence or corruption. We don't know."

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