An Iowa City man has been accused of assisting in selling drugs.

Colin Thompson, 20, 2806 Brookside Drive, was charged Wednesday with a controlled-substance violation.

According to an Iowa City police complaint, because of a previous drug investigation, officers obtained a search warrant for the motel room in which Thompson was staying.

Thompson said he rented the motel room for a friend who allegedly sold drugs out of the room. He admitted to buying an AR-15 rifle for the friend, the complaint said.

The complaint said Thompson told officers his friend let him smoke marijuana for free because he let him stay in the room. He denied any ownership of drugs or money located in the room.

A controlled substance violation is a Class-D felony.

— by Amy Skarnulis