A former police officer who admitted he had been addicted to cocaine apologized in court yesterday at his sentencing and acknowledged that he "betrayed" the trust the community placed in him as a law enforcement officer.

"My addiction took over my life," James Leslie Corn Jr. told U.S. District Judge Helen Gillmor.

But a federal prosecutor noted that Corn admitted he sold an unregistered gun to an undercover officer whom Corn believed was a criminal.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Brady said he couldn't think of a more dangerous situation and asked Gillmor to sentence Corn to more than the 10 to 16 months recommended by federal sentencing guidelines.

Gillmor agreed and sentenced Corn to 2 1/3 years in prison.

"His behavior was totally unacceptable for a person in his position," the judge said.

Corn must begin serving his term on Wednesday.

Corn, 28, a three-year police officer who resigned two months ago, was arrested in August last year as a result of a sting operation by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and Honolulu police. He was initially charged with getting paid $1,000 to provide protection for a 2-pound ice deal set up by undercover officers.

As part of a plea agreement, the charge was dropped in exchange for Corn pleading guilty to being in possession of two pistols while being a user of illegal drugs.

He admitted selling a .38-caliber unregistered pistol to the undercover officer for $200 cash on Feb. 17, 2005. He also admitted he had a .32-caliber loaded pistol that federal agents recovered from the glove compartment of his 1996 Camaro.

"I'm very sorry," Corn told the judge.

Federal Assistant Public Defender Pamela Byrne said Corn suffered from an undiagnosed depression when he became addicted to cocaine and prescription medication and also began drinking too much.

But she said Corn is now undergoing treatment at the Po'ailani facility in Kailua. Corn also has strong support from his family as well as others who submitted letters, including one by former Honolulu homicide detective Jeff Yamashita, a pastor at the church Corn attends.

Gillmor said she believes Corn is sincere in trying to rebuild his life, but said she must punish him for the "great disservice" he did to the police and the community.

"His behavior was out of control for a long period of time," she said.

Honolulu Police Chief Boisse Correa said the department will continue working to "prevent and properly address any wrongdoing by our officers."

"We hope that the acts of a single person will not detract from the good work done daily by the men and women of HPD," he said.

Reach Ken Kobayashi at kkobayashi@honoluluadvertiser.com.