Kohli Trial Continues in US District Court

The trial of an Effingham doctor on federal charges is in its second week in US District Court in Benton.

Dr. Naeem Kohli faces 15 charges, some alleging that Kohli operated a "pill mill" where prescription medicine was illegally dispensed to those addicted to the drugs, other charges alleging that Kohli defrauded health care benefit programs, and still other charges alleging money laundering.

Federal officials executed a search warrant on Kohli's office in Effingham in May 2013 as part of an ongoing investigation. He was arrested in March 2014.

Kohli's trial began January 5 and officials in the District Court office in Benton say the trial is projected to take three weeks to conclude.

If convicted, Kohli faces up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $1 million.