Police arrested a Coralville man after he allegedly tried to sell morphine for rent money.

Xavier Bailey, 22, 421 Sixth Ave. Apt. 3, was charged April 18 with a controlled-substance violation.

Police reports said officers allegedly saw Bailey attempting to make a hand-to-hand exchange with another subject at Hy-Vee, 1914 Eighth St.

The report said Bailey was later identified as a person selling 60 morphine pills for $250. Officials said Bailey admitted under Miranda to selling the pills to make rent money.

The person receiving the pills from Bailey said it was the second time he had purchased pills from the man.

Controlled-substance violation is a Class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

— by Hayley Bruce