Judge sets new $1.5 million bond in Jamey Noel case after additional charges filed
Editor's Note: This story has been updated after receiving clarification on Noel's potential release from Clark County, Indiana officials.
A judge increased Jamey Noel's bond after the former Clark County sheriff was arraigned on six additional felony charges Tuesday.
Judge Larry Medlock raised Noel's bond to $1.5 million, court records show. Noel had previously posted a $75,000 bond set at a November court hearing, The Courier Journal previously reported.
On Monday, special prosecutor Richard Hertel brought six new felony charges — five counts of theft and one count of money laundering — in Noel's ongoing case. The prosecutor alleged Noel used public funds from the sheriff's department and the Utica Volunteer Fire Fighters Association, which Noel formerly led, to purchase multiple cars and household items.
Noel faces 25 other felony charges, including tax evasion, ghost employment and corrupt business influence. The charges stem from allegations made in an investigation conducted by the Indiana State Police, The Courier Journal previously reported. Noel has a jury trial set for Nov. 6. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
More: Jamey Noel: New documents reveal more family involvement, more
Noel, who served as Clark County sheriff from 2015-22, is currently serving a jail sentence in Scott County after being found in contempt of court for possessing two handguns when he was ordered to surrender all of his firearms to the Indiana State Police, except for a shotgun of his choice. He is scheduled to be released Saturday, but will remain in pre-trial custody unless the new bond is posted.
The former sheriff also faces lawsuits from the Indiana Attorney General's office and the Utica Firefighters Association, which also does business as New Chapel EMS. Attorney General Todd Rokita has called for a judge to order Noel to return the public funds he allegedly spent on personal items, while the firefighters association alleges Noel still has access to its funds and has asked a court to forgive some recurring payments Noel is accused of setting up.
Noel's wife, Misty, and daughter, Kasey, have also been theft and tax evasion after the Indiana State Police released documents alleging they used public funds to pay for personal items, The Courier Journal previously reported. Misty's trial is scheduled for July 30, while Kasey's is set for August 20. They have pleaded not guilty.
More: Clark County official 'no longer employed' after police investigate relationship with Jamey Noel
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Jamey Noel case: Judge sets new bond at $1.5 million
