[Bob]

In exchange for her plea, the government agreed to drop one count of using a firearm to commit a felony.

I'm confused - What am I missing here?

These charges are misdemeanors, right? I don't see any indication (at least in this article) of a separate felony being committed with a firearm. Are there some other aspects of this story that are not being detailed here?

[Constitution Day]

I've been trying to find older links on this.
I think this was even on FR back when I was still lurking...

Article from 2001 on Front Page Magazine (David Horowitz) site
"Sealey, who is black, also told police someone painted on the metal garage door, 'Go Home N------.'"

I looked for the original Charlotte Observer link, but it wasn't on their site any longer.

[CharacterCounts]

These charges are misdemeanors, right?

I don't think so. You normally don't hve a maximum of 45 years on misdemeanor counts.

[JavaTheHutt]

These charges are misdemeanors, right?

No.

On Thursday, she pleaded guilty to four counts of mail fraud, three counts of wire fraud and two counts of making false statements to federal investigators.

4 counts of mail fraud = 4 felonies

3 counts of wire fraud = 3 felonies

2 counts making false statements to federal investigators = 2 felonies

Looks like she plead guilty to a total of 9 felonies. If she is only facing 45 years in prison, she is getting off pretty easy. That's only 5 years for each felony.