Wichita ? The so-called secretary of state of a group that claims to be an American Indian tribe was sentenced Friday to one year and one day in prison for encouraging illegal immigrants to live in the U.S.

Debra Flynn, also known as Little Mouse, at times choked back tears as U.S. District Judge Wesley Brown sentenced her to the lenient sentence prosecutors had sought in exchange for her cooperation in the prosecution of the Kaweah Indian Nation and its grand chief, Malcolm Webber.

Flynn testified during Webber’s trial that leaders of the Kaweah Indian Nation considered creating a reservation that could protect illegal immigrants from deportation. She described a July 2006 tribal council meeting at which the purchase of 1,000 acres as a reservation was discussed.

“I ask God to forgive me for my disobedience. I ask the court to forgive me for my disobedience,” she told the judge as her voice cracked.

Prosecutors say the Kaweah Indian Nation falsely told immigrants that tribal membership conferred U.S. citizenship and other benefits, such as Social Security cards, U.S. passports, health care and driver’s licenses. Federal officials don’t recognize the tribe as legitimate, and even if they did, membership would not confer U.S. citizenship.

Along with the prison term, the judge ordered two years of probation for Flynn after her release from prison. He recommended Flynn, who has a number of medical problems and often uses a cane and motorized wheelchair, serve her time in a federal medical prison facility.

“I hope you get along all right. I hope you get the treatment you need,” Brown told her.

In seeking a sentence that was lower than the federal guidelines, prosecutors cited Flynn’s substantial assistance and testimony in the case. Otherwise, she could have received 2 1/2 to three years in prison.

“I owe the government a great big apology, and it wouldn’t happen again,” Flynn said.

When she pleaded guilty in July, Flynn admitted that she processed tribal membership applications and supervised others who did the same. She also admitted working with Hispanic pastors to sell memberships to illegal immigrants.

“I realized that this was wrong – the lies the so-called tribe told these people. I meant no offense to the U.S. government. I love my country,” Flynn told the judge.

A jury found Webber guilty in August on six federal charges arising from the unrecognized tribe’s efforts to sell memberships, and acquitted him of one charge. His sentencing has been delayed until December.