HELMSBURG — A Helmsburg man is facing a high-level felony for drug dealing in a case which authorities are seeking a special prosecutor to handle.

Chad A. Guffey, 38, was booked into the Brown County jail Nov. 12 on charges of dealing in a Schedule I controlled substance, a Level 2 felony; possession of a controlled substance, a Level 6 felony; and dealing in marijuana and possession of paraphernalia, both misdemeanors.

Brown County Sheriff’s Det. Paul Henderson served a search warrant on his State Road 45 home Sept. 19. He reported finding more than 100 grams of marijuana and more than 30 grams of psychedelic mushrooms.

Owen County Prosecutor Don VanDerMoere has been assigned to the case because of Guffey’s multiple connections to Brown County government.

Brown County Prosecutor Ted Adams asked for a special prosecutor because Guffey is an acquaintance of his; Guffey’s parents, Ray and Debbie, have worked for the Brown County Sheriff’s Department as paid staff or reserve officers; and his mother is on the Brown County Council. Debbie Guffey also ran for sheriff in the 2010 primary.

“Said relationship(s) could present an appearance of impropriety,” Adams wrote.

The search warrant on Guffey’s home stemmed from another case and search warrant in which Guffey’s phone was seized, Henderson’s report said.

In his home, police reported seeing several burnt, hand-rolled cigarettes on the coffee table; several baggies of marijuana weighed out to one-eighth; scales on the fireplace mantle; and a large safe in the living room.

In the safe, police reported finding a large bag of marijuana and smaller bags that weighed a total of around 136 grams. Police also reported finding two baggies containing psilocybin mushrooms weighing about 33 grams. Three additional baggies were found later, weighing 3 grams each, according to a probable-cause affidavit in the case.

Police reported finding $810 in the safe including a cashed check for $20 that was made out to Guffey. A similar check also was found in the kitchen from the same individual.

A smaller scale, a box of baggies, a large bong, multiple glass pipes, a metal pipe and an antler pipe that all smelled of marijuana were also found in the safe.

Police also seized three firearms.

A warrant was filed for Guffey’s arrest Nov. 8. He was booked into the Brown County jail Nov. 12 and was released the same day after posting $2,505 of his $50,000 bail — half surety and half cash.

Guffey’s initial hearing was set for 8:30 a.m. Nov. 21 in Brown Circuit Court.