As a result of an investigation by a detective and the Owen County Drug Task Force, a Worthington man is behind bars, charged with three Level 2 felonies of dealing quantities of methamphetamine.

Zachary James Sansone, 29, Worthington, was arrested Wednesday night, March 11, by Detective Erich Teuton of the Owen County Sheriff’s Department and booked into the Greene County Jail at 8:42 p.m.

Hailey W. Mitchell, 20, Worthington, was also arrested but was booked into the Owen County Jail then transferred to the Clay County Jail where she was wanted on a warrant issued in a case involving misdemeanor operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

Earlier this month, OCSD Det. Teuton received a tip with credible information that Sansone and Mitchell were allegedly dealing large amounts of methamphetamine. An investigation by Det. Teuton and the Owen County Drug Task Force began.

When a search warrant was executed on Wednesday at a residence in Worthington located on Wabash Avenue, detectives reported finding suspected methamphetamine and two handguns. According to Det. Teuton, Sansone is a convicted felon and is not supposed to possess firearms.

Sansone is accused of being the seller in three different transactions that occurred at the Worthington residence during the month of March. In each case, he allegedly sold more than 10 grams of methamphetamine. During one of the transactions, Sansone allegedly told a buyer he was obtaining large amounts of methamphetamine for resale.

Information included in a probable cause affidavit indicates detectives have both audio and video evidence of the transactions that show Sansone, Mitchell and another woman were present during the transactions. Other evidence includes the methamphetamine that was sold.

After the home was searched, Sansone was located in Owen County and taken into custody.

As of Friday evening, Mitchell was still being held in the Clay County Jail in the unrelated case.

Sansone was transported to Greene County and first held without bond pending court appearance.

When Sansone appeared before Judge Erik Allen in Greene Circuit Court for an initial hearing yesterday, March 12, Sansone was charged with three counts of dealing in methamphetamine in an amount of 10 or more grams, all Level 2 felonies.

Sansone’s bond has been set at $80,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed. As of Friday evening, he had not yet posted bond and remained in the Greene County Jail.