Wichita ? A federal judge told a Kansas doctor to expect a lengthy prison sentence because his crime is more serious than those of common drug dealers.

Dr. Lawrence Simons pleaded guilty in October to illegally prescribing a painkiller for a woman he had never met.

Federal guidelines call for a sentence of 18 to 24 months, but the Goddard doctor could be facing up to 20 years and a $1 million fine when he is sentenced on Monday.