G’ville man faces drug, endangerment charges

Gainesville resident Charles Worthem, born in 1986, now faces charges in connection with a Sept. 9, 2025, methamphetamine bust at a home in Gainesville.

According to a probable cause statement prepared by Ozark County Deputy Josh Sherman, the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department’s Special Enforcement Team (SET) executed a search warrant at the Gainesville home of Worthem and Corey Smith at 6:45 a.m. Sept. 9. 

Worthem and Smith were inside the residence at the time the search warrant was executed, along with three children, the report says.

During the search, deputies reportedly found multiple glass smoking devices and a black digital scale, all testing positive for meth. One of the pipes contained a clear liquid, the report says. Officers also seized a Samsung cell phone and a 9mm SAR Arms pistol with a holster. 

According to the statement, an orange pill bottle was found in Smith’s vehicle and field-tested positive for methamphetamine. In Smith’s bedroom, officers say they seized a blue glass smoking device and two clear smoking devices, all of which also tested positive for meth. A Motorola cell phone was also taken into evidence.

Inside a gun safe in Worthem’s bedroom, officers report to have found an orange pill bottle with 27 Oxycodone pills (with someone else’s name on the prescription), a green digital scale, a small black tray and several items that field-tested positive for meth and with a white crystal substance on/in them. Ten firearms were also found in the safe.

In a previous probable cause statement in connection with Smith’s arrest, also prepared by Sherman, the living conditions inside the home were “deplorable.” As a mandated reporter, the deputy said he was obligated to contact the Missouri Children’s Division hotline about the conditions. 

Worthem is charged with two counts possession of controlled substance, 10 counts unlawful use of a weapon by possessing a weapon and a felony controlled substance, one count unlawful use of a weapon by having a loaded weapon while intoxicated, three counts second degree endangering the welfare of a child, and one count unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

Worthem is set to appear in Ozark County Associate Court before Judge Raymond Gross on Tuesday, March 10.

Smith pleaded not guilty to possession of a controlled substance during his appearance before Judge Craig Carter in Ozark County Circuit Court on Nov. 5, 2025, and was accepted into the residential Action Recovery Center in Gainesville. He is scheduled to appear before Judge Carter on Wednesday, Jan. 7. Results of that hearing were not available at press time.