One of many faces of the poker growth within the mid-aughts is heading to jail after pleading responsible to working an unlawful marijuana distribution enterprise in California.
Shahram Sheikhan, referred to as “Shawn” or “The Shiek” within the poker world, however known as “Sean” by the Feds, was charged by the Division of Justice for supplying the Satan’s lettuce to unlicensed and unlawful marijuana dispensaries in Southern California, in addition to on to clients, via their firm Cannaland from 2019 via his arrest in 2021.
Sheikhan, 52, and companion in crime Sabriana Williams, 26, plead responsible in June 2022 for numerous costs from working the enterprise which, in accordance with the Feds, distributed 6,600 kilos of marijuana to unlawful dispensaries in San Diego. The 2 have been dealing with sentences of as much as 40 years and a $5 million high quality every.
Sheikhan had already forfeited $300,000 in money that was seized in the beginning of the investigation.
The pair have been additionally accused of “personally coordinating and facilitating the procurement of alternative firearms for the enterprise’ armed safety guards and continued to function their enterprise and distribute huge quantities of marijuana” after being charged, in accordance with a June press launch from the U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace, Southern District of California.
The discharge goes on to element how Sheikhan and Williams have been a part of an underground marijuana dispensary trade that generated a couple of quarter-million {dollars} between 5 retailers every week.
Though he plead responsible in 2022, his sentencing listening to was delayed a number of instances due to his personal and a member of the family’s well being points.
It received’t be Sheikhan’s first time slept behind bars when he stories to jail the primary day of 2024. In 1995, he spent 9 months in jail after being convicted of a misdemeanor involving costs of sexual battery and annoyance or molestation of a kid.
That a part of his previous was revealed in 2007 after the U.S. Division of Homeland Safety tried to have Sheikhan deported again to his beginning nation Iran over it. However as a result of the information of his crime have been destoyed, a U.S. Immigration Decide dismissed the case.
Heels of 2005 WSOP Important Occasion
Sheikhan entered the poker-hive’s consciousness in 2005, not for securing his greatest lifetime money of $600,000 for ending eleventh within the Important Occasion, however for butting heads with one of many largest head-butters of all time, Mike “The Mouth” Matusow.
“Matusow and The Sheik should not kindred spirits,” stated Norman Chad on the ESPN broadcast. “Like oil and water,” Lon McEcheron chimed in.
It was a hand that Sheikhan wasn’t in that began all of it after he reacted dramatically to a flop that apparent hit his mucked playing cards.
“You recognize we’re in a hand, you might want to shut the fuck. up,” stated Matusow. “You can not speak about a hand after we’re in a hand. We’re taking part in for some huge cash. “
However Sheikhan wouldn’t again off.
That was the fuse that lit the remainder of the day between the 2, which, happily for poker followers, noticed the 2 repeatedly battle after they each have been made to take a 10-minute time-out.
The clip has been considered greater than one million instances, and can by no means go away.
Sheihkan went on to seem on a number of episodes of “Excessive Stakes Poker” and “Poker After Darkish” and has popped-up right here and there taking part in event poker. He even performed within the Important Occasion in 2022, days after he entered his responsible plea. He didn’t money. In response to the Hendon Mob, he has $1.5 million in event poker winnings.
