After a lengthy back-and-forth about the decision to arrest and charge the third member of the Noel family with various felonies, an Indiana judge set bond at $20,000 on Monday morning.
Kasey Noel, the daughter of Jamey and Misty Noel, appeared in Clark County Circuit Court after spending the weekend in an adjacent Scott County jail. The former Clark County sheriff, Jamey Noel, as well as his wife and daughter, are all charged with various felonies.
Kasey, 27 years old, was detained last Friday. She is charged with five charges of theft and four counts of tax evasion.
She posted her bond on Monday afternoon.
Kasey was deemed a “moderate” risk by the Indiana Risk Assessment System officer who questioned her after her arrest. One of the reasons for that score is that Kasey is unemployed, despite her attorney’s allegation that she was supposed to start a new job Monday morning.
There were also inconsistencies between Kasey’s address and phone number.
Special prosecutor Ric Hertel asked for a bond between $30,000 and $40,000, while Kasey’s attorney requested a $5,000 surety bond.
Hertel questioned whether Jamey, Misty, and now Kasey knew exactly when they would be caught and when to surrender, as Kasey did on Friday. He suggested that someone is disclosing sealed material about arrests and arrest warrants to the family.
After meeting privately with both parties, special judge Larry Medlock told the defense they may pick between a $20,000 cash bond and a $5,000 surety bond, with the stipulation that Kasey wear an ankle monitor.
Kasey’s attorney decided on the $20,000 figure. Kasey pleaded not guilty to the allegations, with her father and mother sitting behind her in court.
Kasey’s next court date is April 9. The court scheduled a trial for August 20.
Kasey was imprisoned in Scott County until her Clark County hearing on Monday morning.
Kasey used an American Express card that the Utica Township Volunteer Fire Fighter Association issued between 2019 and 2022, according to court documents released on March 8 by ISP Lt. Jeffrey Hearon. Hearon previously described the purchases as personal, which included apparel, cosmetics, Netflix, sunbathing, vaping items, and Amazon shopping.
Investigators said Kasey failed to declare $96,520.55 in personal income on Friday. While she has not yet submitted her 2023 tax returns, data show that she spent more than $12,000 last year.
Jamey served as the CEO and fire chief of UTVFA up until January, when the board fired him.
Last Friday, the three children of Jamey’s brother, Leon Noel, petitioned to reopen his estate. They claim Jamey became executor of Leon’s will after he died and cheated them of more than $50,000.
Among the charges is Kasey getting $36,000 in equity from Leon’s home, which her father gave her. Additionally, Hearon signed a previous probable cause document that mentioned this.
Jamey Noel faces 25 criminal counts, including theft, tax evasion, dishonest business practices, ghost employment, and governmental misconduct. The ISP inquiry began in June 2023, after claims surfaced that Noel commanded jail workers to work on his personal property and do personal errands while on county time.
His wife, Misty Noel, is charged with 10 felonies, including five counts of stealing and five counts of tax evasion. Both have pleaded not guilty.
According to prior court records, Hearon discovered millions of dollars in personal transactions made by each on Utica Township Volunteer Firefighters Association credit cards. He also said they failed to disclose income on their taxes for a five-year period.
The investigation also revealed that Jamey fathered a child with former Clark County Councilwoman Brittney Ferree and used UTVFA funds to pay child support.
Investigators have been scrutinizing Jamey Noel’s extensive automotive collection since the investigation began.
Court filings show that 133 cars are registered with the Utica Township Volunteer Fire Department and New Chapel EMS. An assessment of those vehicles revealed that several were “inconsistent” with a not-for-profit fire and EMS service.
Jamey is accused of arranging a vehicle trading and selling operation in which he traded in multiple UTVFA-registered cars for vehicles that he later registered for personal use. In certain situations, he sold them and kept the proceeds.
Court filings unsealed in early March revealed that 26 containers of military surplus equipment belonging to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office were discovered on a site in Deputy, Indiana. Hearon said Noel sold various goods from the sheriff’s office for personal gain.
Kenneth Hughbanks, Jamey’s friend and associate, has recently become the focus of the investigation. According to Hearon, Hughbanks neglected to record more than $200,000 in income on his taxes. He has not faced any charges.
Hughbanks once worked for the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. He also had a brief stint as Scott County sheriff.
