Cheyenne, WYOMING

She talked to her students about the dangers of using drugs in classroom DARE program. Feds identify her as a "frequent cocaine customer."

Feb 8, 2008 - Irena F. Mondello, 41, a sixth-grade teacher at Bain Elementary School, 41, was one of 19 people arrested. Police accuse Mondello of being a frequent customer of Steven A. Gibson, 64, a Cheyenne man they say distributed cocaine in the Cheyenne area after getting the drug from sources in the Denver area.

She is charged with two counts each of lying to federal investigators and attempting to possess cocaine.

Mondello told investigators she didn't use cocaine but sometimes ordered the drug from Gibson for her estranged husband, Andrew Mondello, 40, by using her cell phone, according to federal court documents.

Her husband is awaiting trial in Laramie County District Court on a charge of possessing crack cocaine. He told drug agents that he and his wife bought cocaine from Gibson. Gibson claims he sold to both of them. but since their estrangement, he sold to them individually. Another cocaine dealer admits selling to the teacher. In reviewing phone records, authorities allege Irena Mondello used her cell phone to try and contact Gibson 118 times between March 26 and Nov. 2, 2007.

When police arrested Gibson last fall, a search of his home turned up 10 pounds of marijuana and a half pound of cocaine. Police say the ring smuggled more than 100 pounds of cocaine into southeast Wyoming over five years. Authorities estimated the value of the cocaine at $1.6 million.

Irena Mondello has been suspended with pay.

GUILTY PLEA March 26 - Mondello pleaded guilty to a single count of lying to agents during an investigation into a suspected interstate cocaine ring. Mondello's attorney said his client will receive two years of supervised probation instead of prison time for the single count. She will be sentenced June 30.

Mondello is the second teacher charged in connection with the suspected cocaine ring. Mary Dunning, 47, a teacher's assistant at Baggs Elementary, faces two counts of attempting to possess cocaine. TT entry for Dunning.

ARRESTED (Again) & BOND REVOKED - June 19 - Mondello was arrested for driving under the influence. Conditions of her release state that she "shall refrain from any use or possession of alcohol." Her bond was revoked at the bond revocation hearing. Mondello's case now has the potential to head to trial. Her attorney said he would have to renegotiate her plea deal.

SENTENCED - July 26 - Mondello was sentenced to 366 days in prison and three years of supervised release.