Noel, 52, faces a total of 52 felony charges, which include theft, official misconduct, tax evasion, and corrupt business influence, as stated in court records. Authorities have been investigating him for these criminal offenses since June 2023, according to the Indiana State Police.
Last week, Inside Edition Digital reported on the extensive probe and the astonishing charges brought against him.
The court had summoned him to appear before Special Judge Larry Medlock on Tuesday to provide an explanation as to why he should not be held in contempt. This came after a search of his residence uncovered two semi-automatic handguns. During a previous hearing, Judge Medlock had directed him to surrender all firearms, with the exception of a single shotgun for self-defense purposes.
Medlock forcefully slammed his gavel on Tuesday, pointing his finger directly at Noel as he made the ruling to send him straight to jail.
As Noel walked out of the courtroom, a few scattered claps could be heard.
James Voyles, the defense attorney, argued that Noel had made an error in instructing two individuals to gather the guns at his residence. He claimed that Noel was unaware that there were two guns stored in his basement. However, this argument was not successful.
Noel, who served as the Clark County sheriff from 2015 to 2022, held multiple leadership positions during his tenure. In addition to his role as sheriff, he also served as the head of the county Republican party and the 9th District GOP. Furthermore, Noel was involved in the management of a nonprofit firefighting and rescue agency called the Utica Township Volunteer Firefighters Association, which is also known as New Chapel EMS, according to authorities.
The arrest took place in November, but according to the special prosecutor in the case, the investigation is still ongoing, as revealed to Inside Edition Digital.
According to authorities, state investigators have alleged in search warrant affidavits that Noel engaged in fraudulent activities by obtaining credit cards in the name of the fire agency. It is further alleged that he used these cards to make unlawful purchases, which included luxury clothing, alcoholic beverages, cigars, household appliances, vacations, travel expenses, and college tuition for his two youngest daughters. Additionally, authorities claim that Noel made child support payments to a former county official with whom he had fathered a child.
Investigators are currently looking into the financial records of Riverside Cigar Shop and Lounge in Jeffersonville, Indiana, where Noel resides. In accordance with the search warrant affidavit, Noel has made a total expenditure of $56,662.37 at the cigar shop between 2018 and the present, spanning a period of five years.
Noel was found to have improperly taken over $900,000 from the jail’s commissary fund, according to a state audit. He is now required to repay the amount.
