Doctor Admits Guilt in Selling Ketamine to Matthew Perry Before His Death

Doctor Pleads Guilty in Connection with Matthew Perry’s Death

A doctor has admitted guilt for providing ketamine to Matthew Perry, the actor known for his role as Chandler Bing on the hit television show Friends, in the month leading up to his overdose death. Dr. Salvador Plasencia became the fourth of five individuals charged in connection with Perry’s passing to enter a guilty plea. The court hearing took place in federal court in Los Angeles, where he stood beside his attorney and acknowledged his guilt to four counts of distributing ketamine.

Plasencia, 43, had initially pleaded not guilty but changed his stance after reaching an agreement with prosecutors. In exchange for his guilty plea, the prosecution agreed to drop three additional counts of ketamine distribution and two counts related to falsifying records. This deal was outlined in a signed document filed in federal court.

The charges against Plasencia could carry a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, though there is no guarantee that he will receive a lesser sentence. However, given that he has been free on bond since shortly after his arrest in August, it is likely that he will remain out of custody until his sentencing on December 3.

Plasencia left the courthouse with his legal team without commenting to reporters who were waiting outside.

The Remaining Defendant

The only individual among the five charged who has not reached an agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office is Jasveen Sangha, who is accused of being a drug dealer known as the “Ketamine Queen.” Prosecutors allege that she provided Perry with the lethal dose of ketamine. Her trial is scheduled to begin next month, and she has maintained her not guilty plea.

According to prosecutors and other co-defendants who have already entered into plea deals, Plasencia illegally supplied Perry with a large quantity of ketamine approximately a month before his death on October 28, 2023. A co-defendant reportedly shared a text message from Plasencia referring to Perry as a “moron” who could be exploited for money.

Background on Matthew Perry’s Use of Ketamine

Perry’s personal assistant, friend, and another doctor all pleaded guilty last year in exchange for their cooperation in the government’s case against larger targets, including Plasencia and Sangha. None of them have received their sentences yet.

Perry was found dead by his assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa. The medical examiner determined that ketamine, typically used as a surgical anesthetic, was the primary cause of death. The actor had been using the drug through his regular doctor in a legal but off-label treatment for depression, a practice that has become increasingly common. Perry, who was 54 at the time of his death, began seeking more ketamine than his doctor would provide.

In his plea agreement, Plasencia admitted that another patient connected him with Perry. He also stated that starting about a month before Perry’s death, he illegally supplied the actor with 20 vials of ketamine totaling 100 mg of the drug, along with ketamine lozenges and syringes. According to court filings, he enlisted another doctor, Mark Chavez, to supply the drug for him.

Text Messages and Financial Transactions

Plasencia allegedly sent a message to Chavez, saying, “I wonder how much this moron will pay,” as noted in Chavez’s plea agreement. After selling the drugs to Perry for $4,500, Plasencia reportedly asked Chavez if they could continue supplying the drugs so that they could become Perry’s “go-to.”

Perry struggled with addiction for years, a challenge that dated back to his time on Friends. He became one of the biggest stars of his generation, playing Chandler Bing alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004 on NBC’s megahit.

Ongoing Legal Proceedings

As the legal process continues, the case highlights the complex web of relationships and actions that led to Perry’s tragic death. While some individuals have accepted responsibility, others remain in the legal system, awaiting their day in court. The case underscores the dangers of substance abuse and the legal consequences of illegal drug distribution.