Dr. Salvador Plasencia admits to illegally providing ketamine to the “Friends” star, faces up to 40 years in prison; co-defendants, including a second doctor and a major drug dealer, also implicated.
Los Angeles, June 17, 2025:
A California physician charged in the overdose death of actor Matthew Perry has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges of illegally supplying the late star with ketamine, the powerful anesthetic identified as the primary cause of Perry’s death.
According to documents filed in federal court in Los Angeles, Dr. Salvador Plasencia will plead guilty to four counts of ketamine distribution, while prosecutors will drop three other distribution charges and two counts of falsifying records as part of the plea deal. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 40 years, though sentencing terms were not outlined in the agreement.
Plasencia is expected to formally enter his plea in court within the coming weeks.
Also Read: Checkout ‘Matthew Perry: A Hollywood Tragedy’ Trailer
🔹 A Coordinated Drug Network
Perry, 54, was found dead on October 28, 2023, in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home. The medical examiner confirmed ketamine toxicity as the primary cause of death, noting that the actor had been using the drug legally through his doctor for off-label depression treatment. However, he began seeking higher doses than prescribed.
Plasencia admitted to illegally supplying Perry with 20 vials of ketamine, ketamine lozenges, and syringes — often delivered directly or through intermediaries. He even injected Perry himself during visits and trained the actor’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, on how to do so.
Also Read: Matthew Perry’s Home Where He Died, Sold Before His First Death Anniversary
Court documents reveal that Plasencia worked with another doctor, Mark Chavez, to source the drugs. He allegedly texted Chavez, saying:
“I wonder how much this moron will pay.”
Plasencia and Chavez met in Costa Mesa, halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, to exchange several vials, which Plasencia then sold to Perry for $4,500, prosecutors said.
Chavez has already pleaded guilty, along with Erik Fleming, a close friend of Perry who acted as a middleman in the drug supply chain. Fleming and Chavez are reportedly cooperating with the investigation.
🔹 The Fifth Defendant: Jasveen Sangha
The only defendant still maintaining innocence is Jasveen Sangha, described by prosecutors as a major ketamine dealer. Authorities believe she supplied the fatal dose to Perry. She remains in custody awaiting trial and has pleaded not guilty.
🔹 A Troubled History and Tragic End
Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the iconic sitcom Friends, had a well-documented struggle with addiction that dated back to his years on the show. Despite multiple stints in rehab, he often spoke candidly about his battle with substance abuse.
Plasencia’s case now adds a darker layer to Perry’s tragic story — one involving exploitation by medical professionals, illegal drug sales, and systemic failures in regulation.
🔹 Sentencing Still Pending
None of the defendants in the case have been sentenced yet. Plasencia is currently out on bond, while Sangha remains jailed. The plea agreement offers no guarantee of a reduced sentence, leaving the final decision in the hands of the court.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case continues to highlight the risks of off-label ketamine use and raises broader questions about the accountability of medical professionals in celebrity overdoses.
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Matthew Perry death, ketamine overdose, Dr Salvador Plasencia guilty plea, Friends actor overdose, ketamine abuse, Matthew Perry doctor, ketamine distribution charges, Mark Chavez ketamine, Jasveen Sangha trial, Matthew Perry addiction