However, the judge is taking it under advisement to ensure all victims are heard. The former Clark County Sheriff was charged with 31 felonies, and his jury trial was scheduled for November. Noel and his legal counsel changed their plea to guilty at a court hearing on Monday in Clark Circuit Court in Jeffersonville. Noel was read each count and admitted he had committed it. The deal states that Noel plead guilty to all counts except for all four counts of ghost employment, which were dismissed.
The crimes he pleaded guilty to included theft, official misconduct, tax evasion, money laundering, corrupt business influence, and obstruction of justice, all totaling 27 counts. Noel would serve a total sentence of 15 years in prison and then three years probation under the deal. With that, Hertel said it will be a challenge to collect the victims, but will do so. He also gave credit to the attorneys he has worked with on the case and also the Indiana State Police investigators.
He was arrested in November on initial felony counts, though more charges were added as the investigation continued. Beyond serving two consecutive terms as sheriff through , Noel was a major figure in local and state politics. The association board, which rarely met during the time in which state police said most of the crimes occurred, voted to terminate his employment in January.
The state argued that they are public funds, therefore they have jurisdiction over them. Judge Roger Duvall said he was going to deny the intervention, but took it under advisement contingent upon the submittance of documentation for review. Noel and his family are accused of spending millions of dollars on various personal purchases including travel, gifts, clothing and vehicles. The Indiana State Police conducted dozens of searches uncovering questionable purchases of classic cars, college tuition and an aircraft.
Leadership development series: How to be an open leader. Baltimore County civilian committee mostly sided with police on complaints, except in minor vehicle incidents. Business owner who alleged coffee shop closure was due to her support for thin blue line flag heads to trial.
