Wife of Casper Doctor Accused of Multi-State Drug Conspiracy Will Change Plea

The wife of former Casper doctor Shakeel Kahn, accused with her of running a multi-state prescription drug conspiracy, will change her previous not guilty plea next week, according to federal court records.

Lyn Kahn is scheduled to enter her plea before U.S. District Court Judge Alan Johnson on April 24, the day before the trial of Shakeel Kahn and his brother Nabeel "Sonny" Khan is scheduled to start in Casper. The trial may take several weeks.

Lyn Kahn is charged with one count of conspiracy to dispense and distribute oxycodone, alprazolam, hydromorphone and carisoprodol; five counts of unlawful use of a communication facility; and two counts of dispensing of oxycodone and aid and abet, according to the third superseding indictment. She could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $4,250,000.

The announcement of the change of plea hearing did not give any details of what her plea may be.

She would be the third defendant to plead guilty in the case.

Arizona resident Shawnna Thacker pleaded guilty last week to the conspiracy count of dispensing and distributing oxycodone and the other drugs. She could face up 20 years imprisonment. Her sentencing is scheduled for June 20.

Paul Beland pleaded guilty in March 2018 to conspiracy to dispense and distribute the opioid pain medicine oxycodone, alprazolam, hydromorphone, and carisoprodol resulting in death; and to two counts of unlawful use of a communication facility. He could face up to 28 years imprisonment. His sentencing date has not been set.

Beland remains in custody pending sentencing.

Lyn Kahn is living at her house in Casper. Thacker is living in Fort Mohave, Ariz.

Given neither of the remaining defendants change their pleas before the trial starts, Shakeel faces more than 20 counts including conspiracy to distribute, possessing and dispensing oxycodone and other prescription opioids; conspiracy to distribute certain prescription drugs resulting in death; possession or use of firearms during a drug crime; unlawful use of communications devices; and money laundering.

He also is charged with operating a continuing criminal enterprise, which upon conviction is punishable by a minimum of 20 years of imprisonment, according to court records.

If convicted of all counts, he faces between 45 years and life imprisonment.

Nabeel Kahn, if convicted of conspiracy todistribute certain prescription drugs resulting in death; and brandishing a firearm during a drug crime, faces 27 years to life imprisonment.

The complex case began three years ago when the Wyoming State Board of Pharmacy asked the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to investigate Shakeel Kahn, who was issuing large prescriptions for controlled substances under two DEA licenses in Arizona and Wyoming. The Arizona and Wyoming boards of medicine subsequently suspended Kahn's medical licenses for  prescribing controlled substances outside the standard of care.

Shakeel and Lyn Kahn were arrested at their house on Thorndike Avenue in Casper on Nov. 30, 2016, and initially charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone.

Shakeel and Lyn Kahn dealt with customers who paid them $500 in cash for a prescription. Medical evaluations were usually minimal if not nonexistent. Customers often would resell the drugs. Some of the transactions occurred at the now-closed Vape World shop on 12th Street operated by Kahn's stepchildren.