Kirkland Police have arrested a 41-year-old Bellevue man accused of selling fentanyl to a minor on multiple occasions.

Justin Vanblericom has been charged with two violations of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office after allegedly selling narcotics to a 16-year-old who was characterized as a family friend in charging documents.

Vanblericom was apprehended when the mother of the 16-year-old he had sold pills to was suspicious that her daughter was under the influence of drugs. The minor admitted to using the pills and gave the pills she had to her mother who tested the drugs for fentanyl. The test came back positive.

The 16-year-old was reportedly told the pills were percocets, but did not know the pills contained fentanyl.

Vanblericom had been communicating with the minor over Facebook Messenger. According to charging documents, he told the minor that he would provide her with fentanyl test kits and Narcane after she raised concerns over a student that had overdosed at her school.

Charging documents also suggest the minor was helping him sell drugs to her peers. He also reportedly sold drugs within a few hundred feet of Robert Frost Elementary School, a violation of a drug free school zone.

When police told the defendant what he was being arrested for, he stated, “I was just trying to pay my rent.”

Vanblericom’s conviction history includes multiple assault charges of varying degrees, robbery and domestic violence harassment.

The arraignment for the defendant is at 8:30 am on March 21 in room E1201A of the King County Courthouse.