PIKEVILLE, Ky. — A Paintsville doctor has pleaded guilty to federal charges of prescribing fentanyl without a valid medical reason on eight occasions.

Dr. Jason Castle, 42, of Staffordsville, operated Eastern Kentucky Family Medicine and New Age Vitality Clinic in Paintsville. He pleaded guilty Friday to improperly prescribing fentanyl patches to patients on eight occasions between August and October.

Castle now faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison and up to $1 million in fines. He will be back in court for sentencing April 30.