LIHU'E, Kauai — A woman who prosecutors said defrauded the state out of more than $18,000 and used the money to buy crystal methamphetamine has been sentenced to a year in prison on theft charges.

Tracy Ewing, also known as Tracy Pope, was charged with three counts of second-degree theft and three counts of unsworn falsification for lying on state forms to get financial assistance when she was also getting income from jobs she held, county Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Lauren McDowell said.

Ewing admitted falsifying records and using the ill-gotten funds to buy ice, McDowell said in arguing for jail time for Ewing, 29, of Waimea.

"Jail is necessary," the deputy prosecutor said, arguing for a year in jail, five years' probation and full restitution to the state Department of Human Services.

"I think what we need to address is her drug problem," said Edmund Acoba, state deputy public defender, adding that Ewing's probation officer has referred her to the Kaua'i Drug Court program.

Her biggest hurdle is restitution, Acoba said, adding that Ewing has already served 230 days in prison and hopes to get into a drug treatment program.

"I just want to say I'm sorry and I do want to make right my wrong. I'm ready for a change," said Ewing, who was known as Tracy Pope when she was arrested by Kaua'i police officers in late February on the six charges.

Fifth Circuit Judge Kathleen Watanabe sentenced Ewing to a year in prison, with credit for time served, plus five years' probation, and ordered her to pay full restitution and comply with other conditions.

"It is critical, important, necessary to make restitution to the state," said Watanabe, ordering Ewing to begin paying $100 a month in restitution after her release from prison.