Five Charged in Matthew Perry's Death: What You Need to Know

Overview of the Ketamine Overdose Case Involving Matthew Perry

A year ago, federal authorities announced that five individuals were charged in connection with the ketamine overdose death of actor Matthew Perry. All five have now agreed to plead guilty, including the personal assistant of the “Friends” star, an old acquaintance, and two doctors. On Monday, Jasveen Sangha, who prosecutors describe as a dealer known as the “Ketamine Queen,” became the fifth and final defendant to reach a deal and avoid trial.

Jasveen Sangha: The “Ketamine Queen”

Sangha admitted in her plea agreement that she sold Perry the lethal dose of ketamine in the days before his death on Oct. 23, 2023. A 42-year-old born in Britain and raised in the United States, Sangha has dual citizenship and had a jet-setting lifestyle, with social media posts showing her in luxurious settings alongside celebrities in Spain, Japan, and Dubai. Her lifestyle was reportedly funded by a drug business she ran for at least five years from her apartment in LA's San Fernando Valley.

Prosecutors claim she presented herself as “a celebrity drug dealer with high quality goods” and promoted the idea that she was known as the “Ketamine Queen.” Her lawyers have dismissed the title as a “media-friendly” label. Sangha attended high school in Calabasas, California, and graduated from the University of California, Irvine. She later earned an MBA from the Hult International Business School in London.

She was connected to Perry through Erik Fleming, a co-defendant. In a raid of her apartment in March 2024, authorities found large amounts of cocaine, methamphetamine, and ketamine. She was arrested and released on bond but was indicted again in August 2024 with charges tying her to Perry’s death. Since then, she has been held without bail.

Charges: Three counts of distribution of ketamine, one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death or serious bodily injury, and one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises.
Sentencing: A judge will set her sentencing in the coming months after she appears in court to officially change her plea. She could face up to 45 years in prison.
What They Said: Sangha’s lawyer, Mark Geragos, stated, “She’s taking responsibility for her actions.”

Kenneth Iwamasa: Perry’s Personal Assistant

Iwamasa, Perry’s live-in personal assistant, was intimately involved in the actor’s illegal ketamine use, acting as his drug messenger and personally giving injections. He was the first to reach a deal with prosecutors, as they sought to use him as an essential witness against other defendants. Iwamasa said he worked with co-defendants to get ketamine on Perry’s behalf, including Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who taught him how to give Perry the injections.

According to Iwamasa, he injected Perry six to eight times per day in the last few days of his life. He was the one who found Perry dead in the hot tub of his Pacific Palisades home on the day he gave him several injections.

Charges: One count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death.
Sentencing: Scheduled for November 19, with a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison.
What They Said: Iwamasa's attorneys have not responded to requests for comment.

Dr. Salvador Plasencia: The “Dr. P” Connection

Plasencia, a 43-year-old Los Angeles-area doctor known as “Dr. P,” was one of the two main targets of the prosecution. He admitted to selling 20 vials of ketamine to Perry in the weeks before his death. According to court records, Perry was initially getting ketamine legally from his regular doctor but wanted more. Plasencia admitted to personally injecting Perry with some of the initial vials he provided and left more for Iwamasa to inject, despite adverse reactions.

Plasencia graduated from UCLA's medical school in 2010 and had no prior disciplinary actions. He has been free on bond since his indictment and is currently a caregiver for a toddler. His lawyers say he plans to voluntarily surrender his license to practice medicine.

Charges: Four counts of distribution of ketamine.
Sentencing: Scheduled for December 3, with a potential sentence of up to 40 years in prison.
What They Said: His lawyers state he is “profoundly remorseful for the treatment decisions he made while providing ketamine to Matthew Perry.”

Erik Fleming: The Acquaintance Who Facilitated the Supply

Fleming, 55, was an acquaintance of Perry’s who learned through a mutual friend that the actor was seeking ketamine. He told Iwamasa in text messages that he had a source known as the “Ketamine Queen,” whose product was “amazing.” Prosecutors say Fleming delivered 50 vials of Sangha's ketamine for Perry’s use, including 25 sold for $6,000 four days before his death.

Charges: One count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death.
Sentencing: Scheduled for November 12, with a potential sentence of up to 25 years in prison.
What They Said: Fleming’s lawyers have declined to comment.

Dr. Mark Chavez: The Clinic Owner

Chavez, a San Diego doctor who ran a ketamine clinic, was the source of the doses that Plasencia sold to Perry. He admitted to obtaining the ketamine from a wholesale distributor on false pretenses. Chavez, 55, graduated from UCLA's medical school in 2004 and has surrendered his medical license.

Charges: One count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.
Sentencing: Scheduled for September 17, with a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
What They Said: His lawyer says he is “incredibly remorseful,” has accepted responsibility, and has been “trying to do everything in his power to right the wrong.”