CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A former West Virginia doctor is seeking probation after her guilty plea for negligently prescribing pain pills.

Diane Shafer is citing how she surrendered her medical license and cooperated with prosecutors ahead of her Tuesday sentencing in U.S. District Court.

The 60-year-old pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy to misuse a federal drug registration number. The longtime Mingo County physician admits she prescribed pain and anti-anxiety pills to people she did not examine.

Shafer left pre-signed prescription slips at her Williamson office for staff to hand out. Prosecutors say that helped her issue more controlled substance prescriptions between 2003 and early 2010 than some West Virginia hospitals.

Shafer had prior run-ins with state licensing boards. She pleaded guilty shortly after losing the Republican primary for a House of Delegates seat.