Former officer sentenced to prison
53-year-old Jamey Noel of Clark County will have quite a different view for the next 12 years after the former law enforcement officer was sentenced to 15 years in prison with three suspended.
The sentence stems from 27 felony charges that Noel pled guilty to on August 26 and was just sentenced on October 14. The charges range from Theft, Obstruction of Justice, Official Misconduct, Tax Evasion, Corrupt Business Influence, to Money Laundering.
The case is relatable to Ripley County due to Prosecutor Ric Hertel being selected as the special prosecutor in the case that has been touted “one of the largest corruptions cases in the state,” by Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter.
When Noel finally pled guilty, Judge Medlock asked for victims to come forward to the sentencing. According to Ripley Publishing Co. files, he said, “I need EMS workers who have lost their jobs, paramedics that are not out there saving people because the money was diverted for pleasures. I want to hear from people that don’t have $800 belts. I want to hear from taxpayers that have been aggrieved by the actions of this individual,” speaking of Noel.
And the victims responded. From those who felt their loved ones could have been saved from a first responder run to inmates who had to work on a work release program being a firefighter, there was a lot of people who said Noel has negatively impacted their lives with his actions of swindling.
In all, 19 witnesses came forward from Clark and Floyd counties.
Noel was tearful, said a prayer, and kept rosary beads on his desk throughout the trial. He said he was sorry for his crimes, but many thought he was sorry he got caught.
The trial started with a confident Noel bringing high dollar coffee to several at the courthouse and his supporters ranging from law enforcement to political figures to no one of stature being in his corner on sentencing day.
Noel will be paying over $3M to victims, plus $270,000 in fines ($10,000 for each of the 27 felonies he pled guilty to). His many properties and numerous high dollar vehicles will be liquidated to help with these costs.
Prosecutor Hertel said he feels in this case the punishment fits the crime. He was satisfied with the plea agreement.
Noel’s wife, Misty, who has filed for divorce since the court proceedings began, along with his daughter, Kasey, have also been charged with felony charges in the case. They have not pled guilty and are awaiting their trial on October 28. Recently a current council member and a former council member were also charged with Conflict-of-Interest charges.
Editor’s Note: For background stories check out Nov. 16, 2023, April 18, 2024, and August 29, 2024, for more information about the Noel case. Noel should be moved from county jail to the Department of Correction where he will be in protective custody due to his extensive background in law enforcement. He was a state trooper for over 20 years and a two-term sheriff.
Noel also was in leadership positions with Utica Township Volunteer Firefighters Association aka New Chapel EMS and the head of the Republican Party, Ninth District GOP.
