Sheikhan Can Stay, For Now
An immigration judge stopped the progress of the deportation measures against a well-known Nevada poker pro and Iranian citizen resulting from a conviction, that is contended by officials the charges involve sexual battery and annoyance or molestation of a child, from 1995. The US Immigration Court Judge, Harry Gastley, ruled that the Federal Department of Homeland Security had not provided enough valid documentation to determine if Shahram ‘Shawn’ Sheikhan in fact committed this deportable crime.
Gastley disclosed that based on the provided evidence he was incapable of determining what Sheikhan was convicted of, and if it had been by jury, judge or plea. It was clearly determined that Sheikhan served 9 months in jail followed by 5 years probation for the misdemeanor conviction.
Luther Snavely, who represents Sheikhan’s immigration concerns, said Sheikhan is a legal U.S. resident and constantly asserted his innocence in the matter. David Chesnoff, another Sheikhan attorney, said allegations in the case in question were significantly “blown out of proportion.”
Sheikhan was arrested at his Las Vegas home Aug. 30, 1995 in accordance with documents filed in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas, and jailed more than a week prior to being released on $10,000 bond. The information is on public file, and is readily available, as is the information on the original case, if it can be located.
Most people remember Shawn Sheikhan for his often-confrontational attitude across the poker felt, likened to verbal sparring with poker rival, Mike Matusow. This was particularly seen in the 2005 World Series of Poker.
