The first person to be sentenced for the death of beloved Friends star Matthew Perry has been given 30 months in a federal prison. The California doctor, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, is one of five charged in the federal investigation connected to Perry’s overdose in 2023. While he is the first to receive a prison sentence, he will not be the last. 

Actor’s Drug Overdose

On October 28, 2023, Matthew Perry, 54, was found unresponsive in his Los Angeles home. His death was initially ruled an accidental overdose as he had struggled with depression and addiction for years. However, through a federal investigation, five individuals were connected with supplying Perry with drugs outside of his normal treatment. They found he had acquired high amounts of ketamine through an underground drug network in Hollywood. 

Earlier this year, Plasencia accepted a plea agreement that stated he distributed 20 vials of liquid ketamine, ketamine lozenges, and syringes to the actor and his live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa. Plasencia appeared for a hearing yesterday, in which he was sentenced to over two years in prison. Perry’s family requested he be given a lengthier prison term, saying he was the “most culpable” in Perry’s death. 

Court Hearing

Suzanne Morrison, Perry’s mother, spoke in court before the sentencing took place. She drew attention to text messages that were included in court records in which Plasencia referred to Perry as a “moron” and wondered how much he could sell drugs to him for. An emotional Morrison addressed the doctor directly, stating, “There was nothing moronic about that man.” She added that he had sworn to protect the people under his care, yet instead of protecting her son, he took advantage of him. 

Plasencia was allowed to speak in court and chose to address Perry’s family. He expressed remorse and mentioned he has a two-year-old son. “I want to raise him right,” he said. “I also think about how to explain this to him.” He apologized to Perry’s family and admitted, “I failed myself. There is no excuse. I can’t undo what’s been done. I know that. I should have protected him, as his mother said. I’m just so sorry.”

Charges and Sentencing

Plasencia pleaded guilty on July 23 to four counts of distributing ketamine. His sentence is considered a cake walk, given that those charges carry a maximum of 40 years in prison. Prosecutors offered him a plea deal, which he accepted, resulting in only 3 years behind bars. In addition to his 30-month prison sentence, Plasencia was ordered to pay a $5,600 fine by the US District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett. He was taken into federal custody following the sentencing.

Aside from Plasencia, there are four others involved in the case, including Dr. Mark Chavez, Perry’s assistant, Iwamasa, Jasveen Sangha, known as “The Ketamine Queen,” and alleged drug dealer Erik Fleming. All of them have pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute ketamine. Their sentencing is expected to come in the next few months. 

Impact of Losing Matthew Perry

Matthew Perry was best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the 90s sitcom, Friends. He was vocal and public about his struggles with depression and drug addiction. His death has greatly impacted his loved ones and those who cherished his time as an actor. Perry’s family filed victim impact statements to the judge ahead of Plasencia’s sentencing hearing in hopes of him getting the maximum sentence.

His father and stepmother wrote an emotional letter directly to Plasencia.

“Matthew’s recovery counted on you saying NO,” they wrote. “Your motives? I can’t imagine. A doctor whose life is devoted to helping people?” His mother and stepfather detailed in their letter how difficult this has been on them and how they hoped Perry would recover so he could make another acting comeback. “He wanted, needed, deserved..a third act. It was ..in the planning. And then, those jackals,” they wrote. His entire family blames the doctor for his death, rightfully so, and says this loss has devastated them.