A postal worker who pleaded guilty last month to selling methamphetamine will serve about six months at a women’s residential treatment center, followed by several months of strict supervision and fines.

Darlene Waters, 45, of Dawson County received a 12-year sentence with four years to serve on Oct. 6.

Under an order from Northeastern Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Jason Deal, the four years would be suspended after completing the treatment program in Alto.

She will remain in the Dawson County Detention Center until there is an opening at the facility.

Waters was arrested May 22 with live-in boyfriend Glen Alan Corindia, 46, after she delivered a phone book containing meth to a mailbox in eastern Dawson.

Waters was charged with selling and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, manufacturing and possession of marijuana and two counts of using communication frequencies for criminal use.

Sentenced as a first offender, Waters’ would be exonerated from the charges after completing the program and serving eight years on probation.

If she violates parole, she could be ordered to face the maximum penalty, 30 years for each felony count of selling methamphetamine.

“I have no doubt if you violate your probation, I will send you to prison, because then you’ve burned the opportunity with this court,” Deal said. “I’m giving you the opportunity, but I’m also giving you enough rope to hang yourself.”

Testifying at sentencing, Waters admitted being an addict and apologized to her friends, family and the community.

“It’s more than just me I’ve hurt,” she said. “I hurt my kids, my family, and that hurts me even more. I have to make amends to all of them.”

Shortly after her May arrest, Waters was fired from the postal service in Dawson County, where she had worked since 1995.

Corindia, who also worked for the postal service, pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana and methamphetamine and manufacturing marijuana shortly after his arrest and entered the local drug treatment court.