An actor who went from appearing in the Oscar-nominated film "The Wrestler" to leading police on a wild demolition-derby-style chase through Eastchester pleaded guilty Friday to steroid possession and assaulting federal agents.
Federal agents and local police from the Drug Enforcement Administration's Westchester Task Force were trying to arrest Siegel outside his parents' home in Eastchester when he fled in his truck and touched off the chase through Eastchester and Tuckahoe before he was finally caught in Eastchester. Along the way he hit several police cars.
He rammed a police car that had two agents inside and then attempted to hit an officer on foot.
"I drove my car around the officer, creating a risk of injury," he said as he pleaded guilty.
Federal agents recovered 1,500 bottles of anabolic steroids from his car, his parents' townhouse and his home. They also found $100,000 in cash.
The chase followed on the heels of Siegel's gaining a measure of celebrity from his performance in "The Wrestler." Siegel played a thickly muscled steroid dealer named Greg who supplies steroids to the lead character, played by Mickey Rourke, who was nominated for a best actor Academy Award.
Siegel appeared smaller than he did at his first court date on Feb. 19. But he still cut an imposing figure as he walked into Judge Kenneth Karas' courtroom and smiled at his parents.
His years of steroid abuse have taken a toll, said his lawyer, Barry Levin. Levin renewed his request to have Siegel released on bail, saying doctors at the Westchester County jail are failing to properly treat him for his dangerously low testosterone level.
The low level has caused moodiness, dizziness and depression, Levin said. An angry Karas, who has asked before for clarification of the treatment at the jail, ordered a hearing for Friday at which doctors will explain their treatment or their decision not to treat him.
"Enough is enough," the judge said to Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Krissoff.
Siegel faces up to 20 years in prison on the top charge, though sentencing guidelines will probably call for no more than 63 months. He remains held without bail pending his Jan. 14 sentencing. "It was a very unfortunate incident," Levin said, "and Scott is very remorseful and thankful that no one got hurt."
