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Thread: Controversial 2000s poker pro Shawn Sheikhan convicted of illegal marijuana sales operation, faces long prison sentence

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    Controversial 2000s poker pro Shawn Sheikhan convicted of illegal marijuana sales operation, faces long prison sentence

    His conviction was in June 2022, but I haven't seen in reported anywhere in poker media.

    Here's the statement from the DOJ: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr...nsary-industry


    This was NOT a case where he got charged federally based upon running state-legal dispenaries where the government prosecuted anyway. This was an illegal dispensary operation, not licensed in any state, and it operated on a large scale.

    He pled guilty to federal charges, which is common, as the DOJ tends not to prosecute unless they have an ironclad case.

    Shahram “Sean” Sheikhan and Sabriana Williams pleaded guilty in federal court today to drug distribution charges, the latest individuals convicted as part of an ongoing investigation by federal and state authorities targeting unlicensed, illegal marijuana dispensaries throughout Southern California.

    From at least 2019 through 2022, Sheikhan and Williams, along with others, operated an unlicensed, illegal marijuana business known as “Cannaland,” which functioned primarily as a wholesale supplier of marijuana and marijuana products to unlicensed and illegal marijuana dispensaries in Southern California. Additionally, Cannaland operated as an unlicensed, illegal marijuana dispensary in its own right, serving individual customers.

    In April 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Cannaland, which at the time was located at 10630 Willie Baker Way in Spring Valley, California. During the execution of the search warrant, more than 3,000 pounds of marijuana was seized, with an estimated street value in excess of $6 million, along with five firearms. Following the search warrant, Sheikhan and Williams personally coordinated and facilitated the procurement of replacement firearms for the business’ armed security guards and continued to operate their business and distribute vast amounts of marijuana. As part of their plea agreements, Sheikhan and Williams admitted the amount of marijuana products distributed during the course of the conspiracy exceeded 3,000 kilograms.

    Sheikhan and Williams join several others who have pleaded guilty to various drug, firearm, and money laundering charges in federal court as part of this investigation.
    .
    .
    .
    Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 841(c) and 846

    Maximum Penalties: Forty years in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a $5 million fine.
    So he's gonna be in the slammer for a minimum of 5 years. He is not likely to get close to 40, because he pled guilty.

    Sheikhan is 52 years old.


    He was in various controversies before, some of which were before his time in poker.

    In 1995, at the age of 25, he was convicted in California of having sex with 16 and 17 year old girls. He spent 9 months in prison for that. Believe it or not, this wouldn't have been in a crime in Nevada, where the age of consent is 16. The sex was consensual, but since the age of consent in California is 18, he was committing a crime. It is likely they went after him because of his age (25), which is old enough to where he would not be considered a peer of girls who are 16-17.

    In 1999, he killed a 91-year-old woman who was a passenger in another car, during a heavy storm in Las Vegas. It was determined that he was "driving too fast for conditions", but he was ultimately not prosecuted.

    In 2008, he was almost deported over this, as there was an effort by the US government to deport foreign nationals who were convicted of sex crimes. Somehow Sheikhan beat it, and was able to avoid deportation to Iran.

    Shiekhan was also known for a big argument with Mike Matusow at the 2005 WSOP, when he slammed the table after seeing the flop, indicating he folded something which would have hit the board. This infuriated Matusow, and the two got into it.


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    The amount of time he's facing is ridiculous, it needs to be said again.

    Gl dude

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    Owner Dan Druff's Avatar
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    Haley Hintze must have seen my tweet, and started to do some digging.

    https://www.poker.org/sean-sheikhan-...spensary-case/

    His sentencing is in April.

    Haley wrote that he played the WSOP Main in July 2022, AFTER the guilty plea. He did not cash.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Dan Druff View Post
    Haley Hintze must have seen my tweet, and started to do some digging.

    https://www.poker.org/sean-sheikhan-...spensary-case/

    His sentencing is in April.

    Haley wrote that he played the WSOP Main in July 2022, AFTER the guilty plea. He did not cash.
    I did, and did. The delay in sentencing gave me a fresh lede to write about something that everyone in the poker world missed when announced. I was working the WSOP solo and battling Covid at the time so I'm gonna forgive myself for missing it.

    I saw him at a table on the Bally's side and took his picture; my file note says it was Day 2D of the main. He was way in the back right as you'd view the Bally's ballroom upon entering from the main hallway. I also checked to see if there was any evidence that he played the $10K no-limit 2-7 lowball, which is his favorite event. But that was in early-ish June, when he was busy with negotiating the plea deal through his attorneys. I didn't see him in the chip-count bustouts on PN for that event, so either he didn't play or whoever worked that event didn't know him.

    Good find by you or whoever noticed it.

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    Plutonium sonatine's Avatar
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    i feel like its a real consistent, bankable trend that the worst people in poker seem to consistently end up getting obliterated by life while charming, gracious people like esfandiari just book win after win after win.

     
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    "Birds born in a cage think flying is an illness." - Alejandro Jodorowsky

    "America is not so much a nightmare as a non-dream. The American non-dream is precisely a move to wipe the dream out of existence. The dream is a spontaneous happening and therefore dangerous to a control system set up by the non-dreamers." -- William S. Burroughs

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    The matusow skiekhan video was so tilting. I haven’t watched it in ten years but remember just how much they came across as terrible people and reminded me why I can’t stand casinos.

     
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    I agree that the Sheikhan video was cringy but I still enjoy the older Main Event videos way more than watching current players tank for 15 to 20 minutes at a time.

    Bring back Hevad Khan and give him all the red bull he wants.

     
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      Sanlmar: Hevad Khan reference +1

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    Quote Originally Posted by JoeD View Post
    I agree that the Sheikhan video was cringy but I still enjoy the older Main Event videos way more than watching current players tank for 15 to 20 minutes at a time.

    Bring back Hevad Khan and give him all the red bull he wants.


    No idea how anyone can watch others play poker anymore.

    Even back when I played I mostly found televised games boring as shit.
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    Quote Originally Posted by mickeycrimm View Post
    I'm pretty good at finding graves

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    Quote Originally Posted by Dan Druff View Post
    His conviction was in June 2022, but I haven't seen in reported anywhere in poker media.

    Here's the statement from the DOJ: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr...nsary-industry


    This was NOT a case where he got charged federally based upon running state-legal dispenaries where the government prosecuted anyway. This was an illegal dispensary operation, not licensed in any state, and it operated on a large scale.

    He pled guilty to federal charges, which is common, as the DOJ tends not to prosecute unless they have an ironclad case.

    Shahram “Sean” Sheikhan and Sabriana Williams pleaded guilty in federal court today to drug distribution charges, the latest individuals convicted as part of an ongoing investigation by federal and state authorities targeting unlicensed, illegal marijuana dispensaries throughout Southern California.

    From at least 2019 through 2022, Sheikhan and Williams, along with others, operated an unlicensed, illegal marijuana business known as “Cannaland,” which functioned primarily as a wholesale supplier of marijuana and marijuana products to unlicensed and illegal marijuana dispensaries in Southern California. Additionally, Cannaland operated as an unlicensed, illegal marijuana dispensary in its own right, serving individual customers.

    In April 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Cannaland, which at the time was located at 10630 Willie Baker Way in Spring Valley, California. During the execution of the search warrant, more than 3,000 pounds of marijuana was seized, with an estimated street value in excess of $6 million, along with five firearms. Following the search warrant, Sheikhan and Williams personally coordinated and facilitated the procurement of replacement firearms for the business’ armed security guards and continued to operate their business and distribute vast amounts of marijuana. As part of their plea agreements, Sheikhan and Williams admitted the amount of marijuana products distributed during the course of the conspiracy exceeded 3,000 kilograms.

    Sheikhan and Williams join several others who have pleaded guilty to various drug, firearm, and money laundering charges in federal court as part of this investigation.
    .
    .
    .
    Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana, in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 841(c) and 846

    Maximum Penalties: Forty years in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a $5 million fine.
    So he's gonna be in the slammer for a minimum of 5 years. He is not likely to get close to 40, because he pled guilty.

    Sheikhan is 52 years old.


    He was in various controversies before, some of which were before his time in poker.

    In 1995, at the age of 25, he was convicted in California of having sex with 16 and 17 year old girls. He spent 9 months in prison for that. Believe it or not, this wouldn't have been in a crime in Nevada, where the age of consent is 16. The sex was consensual, but since the age of consent in California is 18, he was committing a crime. It is likely they went after him because of his age (25), which is old enough to where he would not be considered a peer of girls who are 16-17.

    In 1999, he killed a 91-year-old woman who was a passenger in another car, during a heavy storm in Las Vegas. It was determined that he was "driving too fast for conditions", but he was ultimately not prosecuted.

    In 2008, he was almost deported over this, as there was an effort by the US government to deport foreign nationals who were convicted of sex crimes. Somehow Sheikhan beat it, and was able to avoid deportation to Iran.

    Shiekhan was also known for a big argument with Mike Matusow at the 2005 WSOP, when he slammed the table after seeing the flop, indicating he folded something which would have hit the board. This infuriated Matusow, and the two got into it.

    More of that awesome Biden crime bill bullshit. But on the flip side Sean thought he could just be the Pot King of Southern Cali I suppose and didnt want to jump through the hoops to get licensed legally. Kinda stupid he's a minority himself unless he was barred from getting a license over his statutory convictions back in the 1990s (youd think the dude wouldve hired a lawyer and tried to get that expunged seeing how it was 20+ years ago it mightve been possible.

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    Diamond BCR's Avatar
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    I have no idea if accurate, but I’d guess running an illegal drug operation in a state that does license dispensaries is a little like Micon running an illegal gambling site in Las Vegas, albeit far less serious. They’re going to protect their cash cow. I think Micon was state though. This was fairly large and rose to federal attention.

    I feel like I have known a 100 Sheikhan‘s in my life and they’re all the same guy. Same personality and same businesses.

    Not to stereotype middle eastern dudes, but if they aren’t a doctor, they own drive thrus, tattoo shops, jewelry stores, vape stores, convenience stores, and all of their businesses were fronts/or profitable because they broke every law. You need beer when you’re 14, go to the Arab store. Want to sell your food stamps? Go to Arab store. You stole $20k worth of alcohol from a local distributor, take it to the Arab store and they’ll sell it. Happened here this week, but seems universal. I know Persians aren’t Arabs if krypt still lurks, but for this exercise, they are.

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    Plutonium Sanlmar's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sonatine View Post
    i feel like its a real consistent, bankable trend that the worst people in poker seem to consistently end up getting obliterated by life while charming, gracious people like esfandiari just book win after win after win.
    Found myself running through a mental list.

    Not bad sir.

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    Quote Originally Posted by BCR View Post
    I have no idea if accurate, but I’d guess running an illegal drug operation in a state that does license dispensaries is a little like Micon running an illegal gambling site in Las Vegas, albeit far less serious. They’re going to protect their cash cow. I think Micon was state though. This was fairly large and rose to federal attention.

    I feel like I have known a 100 Sheikhan‘s in my life and they’re all the same guy. Same personality and same businesses.

    Not to stereotype middle eastern dudes, but if they aren’t a doctor, they own drive thrus, tattoo shops, jewelry stores, vape stores, convenience stores, and all of their businesses were fronts/or profitable because they broke every law. You need beer when you’re 14, go to the Arab store. Want to sell your food stamps? Go to Arab store. You stole $20k worth of alcohol from a local distributor, take it to the Arab store and they’ll sell it. Happened here this week, but seems universal. I know Persians aren’t Arabs if krypt still lurks, but for this exercise, they are.

    Hey Gringo, that's a pretty racist stereotype. Racist but true.
    En boca cerrada, no entran moscas

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    Quote Originally Posted by BCR View Post
    I have no idea if accurate, but I’d guess running an illegal drug operation in a state that does license dispensaries is a little like Micon running an illegal gambling site in Las Vegas, albeit far less serious. They’re going to protect their cash cow. I think Micon was state though. This was fairly large and rose to federal attention.

    I feel like I have known a 100 Sheikhan‘s in my life and they’re all the same guy. Same personality and same businesses.

    Not to stereotype middle eastern dudes, but if they aren’t a doctor, they own drive thrus, tattoo shops, jewelry stores, vape stores, convenience stores, and all of their businesses were fronts/or profitable because they broke every law. You need beer when you’re 14, go to the Arab store. Want to sell your food stamps? Go to Arab store. You stole $20k worth of alcohol from a local distributor, take it to the Arab store and they’ll sell it. Happened here this week, but seems universal. I know Persians aren’t Arabs if krypt still lurks, but for this exercise, they are.
    You've been brainwashed to think stereotypes are bad. Ther truth is they're pretty fuckin accurate, that's how they became stereotypes.
    God forbid you notice the middle eastern races are the most racist people ainec and that they operate like a team as they take over anything and everything profitable.
    They will beat you over the head with nonsense about white racism while their home country hands out DNA tests to make sure citizens are racially pure.

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    Quote Originally Posted by JoeD View Post
    I agree that the Sheikhan video was cringy but I still enjoy the older Main Event videos way more than watching current players tank for 15 to 20 minutes at a time.

    Bring back Hevad Khan and give him all the red bull he wants.
    Absolutely. Not sure if it’s just me but I found the initial main events so interesting with moneymaker, Raymer, hachem, and gold. By the time we got to Yang something changed and I can barely name any past champions in the last 10 years. Don’t watch at all now

     
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      BCR: We tuned out at exact same time
      
      JoeD:

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    Quote Originally Posted by Cerveza Fria View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by BCR View Post
    I have no idea if accurate, but I’d guess running an illegal drug operation in a state that does license dispensaries is a little like Micon running an illegal gambling site in Las Vegas, albeit far less serious. They’re going to protect their cash cow. I think Micon was state though. This was fairly large and rose to federal attention.

    I feel like I have known a 100 Sheikhan‘s in my life and they’re all the same guy. Same personality and same businesses.

    Not to stereotype middle eastern dudes, but if they aren’t a doctor, they own drive thrus, tattoo shops, jewelry stores, vape stores, convenience stores, and all of their businesses were fronts/or profitable because they broke every law. You need beer when you’re 14, go to the Arab store. Want to sell your food stamps? Go to Arab store. You stole $20k worth of alcohol from a local distributor, take it to the Arab store and they’ll sell it. Happened here this week, but seems universal. I know Persians aren’t Arabs if krypt still lurks, but for this exercise, they are.

    Hey Gringo, that's a pretty racist stereotype. Racist but true.

    Then it isn't racist. Duh.

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    Quote Originally Posted by BCR View Post
    I have no idea if accurate, but I’d guess running an illegal drug operation in a state that does license dispensaries is a little like Micon running an illegal gambling site in Las Vegas, albeit far less serious. They’re going to protect their cash cow. I think Micon was state though. This was fairly large and rose to federal attention.

    I feel like I have known a 100 Sheikhan‘s in my life and they’re all the same guy. Same personality and same businesses.

    Not to stereotype middle eastern dudes, but if they aren’t a doctor, they own drive thrus, tattoo shops, jewelry stores, vape stores, convenience stores, and all of their businesses were fronts/or profitable because they broke every law. You need beer when you’re 14, go to the Arab store. Want to sell your food stamps? Go to Arab store. You stole $20k worth of alcohol from a local distributor, take it to the Arab store and they’ll sell it. Happened here this week, but seems universal. I know Persians aren’t Arabs if krypt still lurks, but for this exercise, they are.

    they like the indians who own the cheap hotels and convivence stores, are experts at not paying taxes. trust me.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Tellafriend View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Cerveza Fria View Post


    Hey Gringo, that's a pretty racist stereotype. Racist but true.

    Then it isn't racist. Duh.

    Yes it is. The stereotype is both racist and true. They are not mutually exclusive. Duh.

    And you're a racist for suggesting that the stereotype isn't racist. So there. LOL.

    En boca cerrada, no entran moscas

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    Plutonium Sanlmar's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by BetCheckBet View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by JoeD View Post
    I agree that the Sheikhan video was cringy but I still enjoy the older Main Event videos way more than watching current players tank for 15 to 20 minutes at a time.

    Bring back Hevad Khan and give him all the red bull he wants.
    Absolutely. Not sure if it’s just me but I found the initial main events so interesting with moneymaker, Raymer, hachem, and gold. By the time we got to Yang something changed and I can barely name any past champions in the last 10 years. Don’t watch at all now
    I remember ESPN used to rerun Main Event content endlessly. As you flipped thru the channels you would stop by for a taste and often stay.

    I remember eggs were $1.99 too.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Cerveza Fria View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Tellafriend View Post


    Then it isn't racist. Duh.

    Yes it is. The stereotype is both racist and true. They are not mutually exclusive. Duh.

    And you're a racist for suggesting that the stereotype isn't racist. So there. LOL.


    you think i give a shit what you think. lol.







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    micon's thriller dance was the picotop of poker culture.

     
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      Starbucks Spunk Bucket: LOL, funny enough I thought about this earlier today
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