AUGUSTA — A woman from Bronx, New York, pleaded guilty Tuesday to selling heroin in Augusta and forfeited $2,826 cash found in her purse when she was arrested June 11.

Tiona Brown, 22, also known as Malotti, was sentenced to 18 months in prison on the unlawful trafficking offense that occurred Dec. 5, 2014, in Augusta. She was fined $400.

According to an affidavit by Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigator Brian Wastella, an undercover agent bought 0.44 grams of heroin from Brown that day on Mount Vernon Avenue in Augusta.

An indictment against Brown also lists two other dates, Dec. 9, 2014, and June 11, 2015, on which Brown allegedly sold heroin in Augusta. However, the state dismissed those two charges in exchange for Brown’s plea to the other trafficking charge.

Wastella’s affidavit also says that when Brown was arrested June 11 in Augusta, police found a clear plastic bag in her purse containing multiple bags of an off-white powder and a similar bag in a wallet along with a ledger listing expenses for “5,000 work,” and the cash.

Later, tests confirmed that the powder was heroin that weighed 3.46 grams, including the packaging, according to police. Brown has been held since her arrest in lieu of $25,000 cash bail.

Records at the Capital Judicial Center indicated Brown has a prior misdemeanor conviction for harassment in New York state.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Katie Sibley. Brown was represented by attorney Scott Hess.

Betty Adams — 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @betadams