Residents feel scandal fatigue as two more suspects are arrested in Jamey Noel case (2024)

CLARK COUNTY, Ind. — The Jamey Noel investigation is now expanding to more suspects in the ongoing case.

John Miller, who serves as a Clarksville police officer and Clark County councilman, was arrested Friday.

Miller is charged with one count of felony official misconduct. He was booked in Clark County jail before being transferred to the Washington County Jail.

Police said the former Clark County Councilwoman and former mistress to Noel, Brittney Ferree, also turned herself in Friday afternoon and was booked into the Clark County Jail. She is also charged with official misconduct.

Billy Stark, enjoying the summer day in Clarksville, said this case has gone on long enough.

"That's embarrassing, to tell you the truth," Stark said. "It's really disappointing that people you elect to help you, hurt you."

He said he has scandal fatigue.

"Every day it's just too much," he said, and added that it's hard to wrap his head around the case. "Millions of dollars and nobody even noticed it."

Jeffrey Hearon, the lead investigator on the case, said in an 18-page affidavit that Noel gave Miller "thousands of dollars in Utica Township Volunteer Fire Fighters Funds for trips, meals, lodging and other items."

Court documents also show Miller is under investigation for his voting record in the Clark County Council. Hearon said Miller voted to approve hundreds of thousands of dollars to go towards New Chapel EMS, all while its CEO Noel was giving the councilmember thousands of dollars in benefits.

Noel fathered a child with Ferree, and according to previous court documents, she accepted $104,971.51 in child support payments from Noel paid with UTVFA funds. In July, Hearon stated in court documents a review of UTVFA credit card statements showed Noel and Ferree took at least three trips on the department's dime.

Records indicated the two traveled to New York City in April 2019, Tampa in May 2022 and New Orleans in July 2022. Airfare for the three trips totaled $2,030.06.

Hearon said Noel gave Ferree $114,070 in UTVFA funds for child support, travel and other expenses. The investigation also questioned a BMW gifted by Noel to Ferree.

Noel is currently facing 31 felony counts and is currently being held in the Scott County Jail.

He will appear at a hearing on Monday morning where he is expected to switch his plea. The special prosecutor said he will plead guilty to crimes.

He'll once again be in front of Judge Larry Medlock, who has shown little patience with Noel in the past.

Miller is also expected in court on Monday, and he is being held in Washington County.

CASE BACKGROUND

Noel is facing 31 felony charges, including counts of theft, tax evasion, corrupt business practices, ghost employment, official misconduct and money laundering. The ISP investigation began in June 2023 following allegations that Noel directed jail staff to work on his personal property and run his personal errands while on county time.

His wife Misty Noel pleaded not guilty to 10 felonies; five counts of theft and five counts of tax evasion.

Daughter Kasey Noel pleaded not guilty to nine felonies; five counts of theft and four counts of tax evasion.

According to previous court documents, Hearon found millions of dollars of personal purchases made by all three on Utica Township Volunteer Firefighter Association credit cards. He also stated they failed to disclose income on their taxes over a five-year span.

Jamey ran UTVFA for many years until January when he was ousted by the board.

In March, investigators uncovered over $100,000 in tuition and education-related payments were made from the cards by Jamey and Misty. Hearon asked a judge for permission to search Indiana University records regarding Josey and Gracy Noel -- Jamey and Misty's other daughters who are currently enrolled at IU campuses.

In April, ISP said the family spent over $300,000 on vacations using fire department funds without reimbursem*nt. Noel was ordered to serve 60 days in jail on April 9 after a judge found him in contempt of court for having firearms in his home in violation of his bond conditions.

The investigation also uncovered Jamey fathered a child with former Clark County Councilwoman Brittney Ferree and made child support payments with UTVFA funds. In July, it was revealed Noel spent $104,971.51 in department funds on child support between March 2020 and September 2023.

Jamey Noel's vast automobile collection has been under scrutiny by investigators since the beginning of the investigation.

According to court documents, 133 vehicles are registered to the Utica Township Volunteer Fire Department and New Chapel EMS. A review of those vehicles showed several were "inconsistent" with a not-for-profit fire department and EMS business.

Jamey is accused of orchestrating a vehicle trading and selling scheme where he traded in several cars registered to the UTVFA for vehicles he then registered to himself for personal use. In some cases, he allegedly sold them and pocketed the money.

Court documents released in early March indicated 26 containers of military surplus equipment belonging to the Clark County Sheriff's Office were found on a property in Deputy, Indiana. Hearon alleged Noel sold multiple items belonging to the sheriff's office and sold them for personal gain.

The investigation has also focused on former Scott County Sheriff Kenneth Hughbanks, a friend and associate of Jamey's. Hearon said Hughbanks failed to report over $200,000 in income on his taxes. He has not been charged.

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