Unalaska, AK –
Joanne Lee pleaded guilty to charges stemming from drug bust that occurred last April.

The 60-year-old cab driver was arrested in April for selling cocaine and marijuana out of Diamond Taxi to an undercover police officer. She was charged with seven felony and two misdemeanor counts related to possession of a controlled substance and intent to distribute. Lee was one of over a dozen people arrested for connections to the drug trade last spring.

Today, Lee appeared at the Unalaska courthouse to offer a guilty plea. District Attorney David Mallet represented her, and Judge Fred Torrisi heard her plea. Both were present via teleconference.

Lee received a sentence of three years in prison, with two years suspended. She will also be placed under probation for three years, and required to undergo a drug assessment.

While announcing the sentence, Torrisi said that the state's goals were both rehabilitation and crime prevention.

"The idea I think is most important today is what we call to deterrence - to make sure that people who are thinking about making money this way think again," said Torrisi.

Lee only offered a brief statement before the court.

"What I did have to pay for," she commented.

Further proceedings related to last year's drug bust are scheduled later this month.