NILES — A woman who police said exchanged meth at a Dairy Queen in Niles will face time in prison for the crime.

Anasia Shawnay Bradley, 20, of South Bend, was charged with delivering and manufacturing meth. She pleaded guilty to the crime on July 18.

Judge Charles LaSata sentenced her to a minimum of 51 months to a maximum of 240 months in a Michigan state prison. She has credit for 49 days served.

The crime occurred on April 25, when Bradley delivered 3.5 grams of meth while at a S. 11th Street Dairy Queen in Niles.

Bradley’s defense attorney, Alexander Starr, argued that his client works full-time and had just received a promotion. He said Bradley also supports her family.

When it was her turn to speak, Bradley said that she had learned from her mistakes.

“I understand the seriousness of the charges,” Bradley said.

While incarcerated, Bradley said she had been thinking a lot about making a better life for herself. She said she had recently met with a school official and intended to earn a degree.

“Now, I work 60-plus hours a week. I stay in the house,” Bradley said. “There’s a lot of things I wasted time on.”

LaSata said the crime Bradley has committed was a serious one, carrying with it the possibility of a 20-year sentence.

“I have a few suggestions for you. You have had five crimes in the last three years all across northern Indiana and southwest Michigan,” LaSata said. “You are going to prison today, ma’am.”

He said the law has strict penalties for those that cross the state line to traffic drugs.

“Methamphetamine — bringing that poison into our community is one of the worst things that you can do,” he said. “Your family is going to pay a heavy price, ma’am, because of your [choices] and no one else’s.”

Despite this, LaSata said he respected the fact that Bradley was working 60 hours a week and trying to better her life. Because of this, he said he chose to punish her on the lower range of the sentencing guidelines.

“I would encourage you to get real smart, real fast,” LaSata said. “Tell your friends if they come and visit, don’t bring drugs into Michigan.”