Dr. Salvador Plasencia of Santa Monica, California, who is one of the doctors accused of providing ketamine to Matthew Perry just before he died, pleaded guilty to distribution yesterday. According to the US Attorney’s Office of the Central District of California at his sentencing hearing, Plasencia will face the maximum sentence of ten years in federal prison for each of the four counts.
‘Friends’ Actor Dies
Perry, a beloved actor famously known for his role as Chandler on Friends, died on October 28, 2023. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office reported his cause of death as an overdose since high amounts of Ketamine were found in his system. In addition, they discovered other factors such as drowning, coronary artery disease, and the presence of buprenorphine. His body was found face down, floating in a hot tub outside his home in Pacific Palisades.
Initially, they ruled his death an unfortunate accident because he was treating his depression and anxiety through ketamine infusion therapy. However, an investigation led officials to believe he was receiving the drug illegally outside of his treatment. Court documents show that Perry was going through an out-of-control addiction.
Plea Agreements
Plasencia’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 3, 2025. He will remain free on bond until then and intends to surrender his medical license within the next six weeks. CNN shared a statement made on behalf of Plasencia saying he “is profoundly remorseful for the treatment decisions he made while providing ketamine to Matthew Perry.”
Plasencia has fully accepted responsibility through his guilty plea. He acknowledged his failure to protect Perry, who was known to be vulnerable to drugs as a former addict. He is one of five people connected to Perry’s death who are charged. According to prosecutors, there is an underground network of drug suppliers who were responsible for the ketamine that killed Perry.
In the plea agreement, it states Plasencia distributed 20 vials of liquid ketamine, ketamine lozenges, and syringes to Perry and his live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa. Iwamasa told authorities that Plasencia and Matthew met weeks before he died. He also said Perry paid $55,000 for the drug the month before.
Others Involved in Matthew Perry’s Death
In August 2024, five people, including Plasencia, were arrested on charges related to Perry’s death. Among them was Jasveen Sangha, known as “The Ketamine Queen”, who was charged with several counts of distributing ketamine and methamphetamine. She is scheduled for trial this August, having pleaded not guilty a year ago.
The others involved admitted their guilt after being arrested. Dr. Mark Chavez, Iwamasa, and alleged drug dealer Erik Fleming pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiring to distribute ketamine. Federal prosecutors claim each of the five defendants took advantage of Perry’s former addiction and situation to make a profit. According to the U.S. Attorney Estrada, the defendants attempted to cover up their involvement, including instructing everyone involved to delete all their messages.
There were texts recovered between Dr. Chavez and Plasencia discussing how much money they could get from Perry. Plasencia allegedly told a patient that Matthew had spiraled too far but continued to provide him with Ketamine. In one text to Chavez, Plasencia wrote, “I wonder how much this moron will pay.” He added, “Let’s find out.”
Plasencia’s Sentencing
In the death of Matthew Perry, the maximum sentence in Plasencia’s case is 40 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. A fine of $2 million or twice the gross gain or loss from the offenses, whichever is greater, and a mandatory special assessment of $400.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
