Judge Ends Sheikhan Deportation Proceedings

Two weeks ago, Shahram "Shawn" Sheikhan, the professional poker player who is perhaps best known for his abrasiveness at the tables, was informed that he would not be forced to leave the United States because of a 1995 misdemeanor conviction.  U.S. Immigration Court Judge Harry Gastley said that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security did not come up with enough documentation about the conviction to show that Sheikhan should be deported.

In 1995, Sheikhan was convicted in Contra Costa County (California) on misdemeanor charges of sexual battery and annoyance or molestation of a child.  He served nine months in jail and five months probation.  Sheikhan still claims that he is innocent of the charges.  David Chesnoff, one of Sheikhan’s attorneys, said that the allegations were "blown out of proportion."

Contra Costa does not keep misdemeanor case files for more than ten years, hence the lack of documentation.

Sheikhan, now 38-years-old, is married to a U.S. citizen and has a 9-year-old daughter.  He has been a legal permanent resident of the U.S. since 1983.