After his arrest last October, Anzai, 30, a special education teacher at Leilehua High School, "provided substantial assistance" in the prosecution of another drug dealer, according to prosecutors.

That led to a reduced sentence from U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright, who noted this afternoon that Anzai's position as a teacher in a drug case raised community concerns about "safety in education."

A former standout baseball player at Kaiser High School and Hawai'i Pacific University, Anzai was able to lead "a successful double life" for years, Seabright said.

More than 50 relatives and supporters attended the hearing, including Anzai's wife, Sherri, mother of their 1-year-old son.

His lawyer, Howard Luke, said Anzai underwent a "religious epiphany" after his arrest and has made "an amazing transformation" in his life.

In a plea agreement with prosecutors, Anzai admitted supplying an undercover drug agent with 50 or more grams of crystal methamphetamine last year. He was originally charged with selling nearly a pound of the drug, worth $44,500, but the U.S. attorney's office dropped additional counts against him in return for his guilty plea and cooperation in another case.

Anzai was not charged with selling drugs on school premises, but prosecutors alleged that during one tape-recorded telephone conversation Anzai indicated he possessed drugs while on school property.

Anzai told drug agents he began using "ice," the common street name for crystal methamphetamine, when he was in high school. Attorney Luke said Anzai later sold drugs to support his addiction.

Anzai apologized to the court, the community and family and friends.

"This whole ordeal, it's like a blessing to me," Anzai told the judge.

Since his arrest, Anzai said, he has successfully completed a drug rehabilitation program which "has allowed me to see life more clearly."