Dr. Phil Astin has entered a guilty plea to 175 counts of illegally dispensing prescription drugs from 2002 until his arrest in 2007.

The case involving the 52-year-old stems from the investigation into the suicide of WWE wrestler Chris Benoit, who killed himself after murdering his wife and 7-year-old son in June 2007.

Astin, who had previously denied all charges, entered the plea in a federal court on Thursday morning.

He became under scrutiny when investigators discovered steroids and testosterone in Benoit’s house, which were allegedly by Dr. Astin.

A search of Astin’s office resulted in an indictment against him, in which it alleges that Astin provided excessive drugs to 17 patients, two of whom were under WWE contract at the time.

Astin is accused of prescribing Benoit with a 10 month supply of steroids every three to four weeks.

He will be sentenced on May 12 and could be jailed for up to 20 years.

Phil Lowe
phil@ifight365.com