The California poker player was found guilty of running an illegal marijuana business
Shahram “Shawn” Sheikhan was sentenced to four years in federal prison on Friday in a Southern California US District Court after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute marijuana in 2022.
The longtime poker pro faced a maximum sentence of 40 years and a fine of $5 million before his guilty plea. Attorneys for Sheikhan previously filed a memo with the court asking that his prison sentence be reduced to probation and community service. PokerGO President Mori Eskandani and others in the poker industry wrote a letter of support on Sheikhan’s behalf.
Sheikhan has more than $1.5 million in career winnings, according to The Hendon Mob, and was hoping for a lighter sentence of probation. However, he was informed by Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo that he would have to spend the next 48 months in a federal prison. With Sheikhan initially facing up to 40 years, his lawyers pushed for the four-year sentence, with the judge agreeing to the recommendation.
Sheikhan also forfeited almost $300,000 in cash, with no additional fines imposed as part of his sentence. He must surrender to US Marshals by noon on January 1, 2024, to begin his sentence and will have three years of supervised release after his release in 2028.
Sheikhan pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute marijuana on June 6 of last year, saying that he and his co-defendant intentionally conspired to distribute 100 kilos and other substances containing marijuana through February 24, 2022. Their actions violated Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(c) and 846.
The unlicensed marijuana business was called “Cannaland,” which sold wholesale marijuana and marijuana products to mainly San Diego County illegal dispensaries. Authorities seized over 3,000 pounds of marijuana at the illegal business in Spring Valley on April 7, 2021.
Emma Rodriguez is the Proofreader at the Big Blind, with seven years of experience and five years in online gambling. She plays a crucial role in maintaining content quality by ensuring error-free, reader-friendly information about the gambling industry.
