FARGO - One of two former prison guards accused of smuggling hacksaw blades to three men in a Rugby jail says she's thankful the escape attempt failed.

Becky Willison, 30, was sentenced in federal court Thursday to four years in prison. Another prison guard, Keri Ann Brandt, received the identical sentence in May. They pleaded guilty to conspiracy to escape, assisting escape from custody and obstruction of justice.

Authorities said Willison and Brandt brought saw blades to three federal inmates accused in a drug conspiracy. The escape attempt was foiled when the blades were discovered during a search.

"I am so sorry. I regret it so much," a tearful Willison told U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson on Thursday. "And I'm so thankful the escape did not happen."

Willison and Brandt had been sentenced in state court to five years in prison on similar charges. The federal sentences will begin after they complete the state terms.

The federal plea agreements for Willison and Brandt had called for five years in prison. Erickson earlier sentenced Brandt to four years, and said Thursday he saw no difference between the actions of the two guards.

"Four years is long enough," the judge said.

Willison and Brandt each faced a maximum federal sentence of 30 years in prison and a $1.25 million fine.

The escape was planned by inmates Gabriel Martinez, Ramon Martinez and Michael Wright, who were being held in Rugby, authorities said. Gabriel Martinez later pleaded guilty to shooting and killing an East Grand Forks, Minn., man.

The Martinez brothers and Wright pleaded guilty to escape charges.

Before handing down Willison's sentence, Erickson read off the names of 18 people who sent letters asking him for leniency. Defense attorney David Dusek said it was a rare show of support.

"We're lucky sometimes to even get one or two (letters)," Dusek said.

Dusek said Willison was a model employee at the jail who made some poor choices. "She took responsibility for those choices," Dusek said, noting that Willison helped prosecutors with the cases against the inmates.

Prosecutor Chris Myers acknowledged Willison's cooperation, but said she abused a position of trust and committed "as serious an offense under the statute as we can have, from our viewpoint."

Erickson called it a tragic case that has affected good families, but said someone could have been hurt or killed trying to apprehend the inmates if they had escaped.

"I wish I could wave a magic wand and make it all go away," the judge said.