Kahns Plead Not Guilty To Prescription Drug Conspiracy Charges
The Casper couple indicted for a multi-state prescription drug conspiracy last week pleaded not guilty to all the counts filed against them during their arraignments in federal court on Tuesday.
Dr. Shakeel Kahn and his wife, Lyn, entered their pleas during separate appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael Shickich.
Lyn Kahn pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiracy to dispense and distribute oxycodone and alprazolam, five counts of unlawful use of a communication facility to commit a felony, and two counts of aiding and abetting the dispensing of oxycodone.
If convicted on all counts, she could receive a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
Shakeel Kahn pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiracy to dispense and distribute oxycodone and alprazolam, five counts of dispensing oxycodone, three counts of possession with intent to distribute oxycodone and aiding and abetting, five counts of using a communication facility in the commission of a felony, three counts of dispensing of oxycodone and aiding and abetting, one count of operating a continuing criminal enterprise, and two counts of engaging in monetary transactions derived from specified unlawful activity.
To the criminal enterprise and monetary transaction counts, Kahn emphatically said, "absolutely not guilty."
Kahn, who was arrested Nov. 30, faces between 20 years and lifetime imprisonment for the criminal enterprise count if convicted.
The Kahns each were initially charged in a criminal complaint of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone. They were out on bond on this count but appeared in court on Jan. 12 for allegedly violating their bonds. They are scheduled to appear in court again on Thursday for a determination whether their bonds should be revoked.
They remain in custody.
Their trials are scheduled before U.S. District Court Judge Alan Johnson in Cheyenne on March 27.
Another defendant, former Wyoming resident and Kahn customer Paul Beland, is charged with six counts in the indictment. If convicted on all counts, Beland could receive a sentence of up to 20 years.