Trigger Warning: This article contains references to drug use, alcohol abuse, and substance overdose that may be distressing to some individuals. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please reach out to a qualified mental health professional or a substance abuse treatment center. There is help available.
A doctor accused of supplying ketamine to Friends star Matthew Perry in the months leading up to his fatal overdose has agreed to plead guilty, federal prosecutors confirmed. Dr. Salvador Plasencia will plead guilty to four counts of ketamine distribution, according to court documents.
Plasencia could serve up to 40 years in prison and is expected to formally enter his plea in the coming weeks. He had been scheduled to stand trial in August. Authorities charged him as one of five individuals connected to Perry’s death on October 28, 2023, which resulted from the acute effects of ketamine.
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The others include Dr. Mark Chavez, Perry’s assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, alleged middleman Erik Fleming, and alleged drug dealer Jasveen Sangha, known as “The Ketamine Queen” of North Hollywood. All but Sangha have now agreed to plead guilty and cooperate with prosecutors.
Iwamasa, who admitted to injecting Matthew Perry with ketamine despite having no medical training, pleaded guilty in August 2024 to conspiracy to distribute ketamine, causing death. Fleming followed a day later, pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution resulting in death. In October, Chavez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine.
Ketamine Therapy
Before his death, Perry was undergoing ketamine therapy under medical supervision. However, court documents reveal that on September 30, 2023, he turned to Plasencia for additional ketamine after his primary provider limited his dosage. Plasencia then contacted Chavez, who previously ran a ketamine clinic.
In messages cited in the indictment, Plasencia appeared to exploit Perry’s dependency, texting Chavez, “I wonder how much this moron will pay” and “Let’s find out,” while discussing prices.
Between September and October 2023, Plasencia supplied ketamine to Perry and Iwamasa on at least seven occasions, violating standard medical practice. While he didn’t provide the fatal dose, prosecutors believe he supplied most of the ketamine Perry used in the weeks leading up to his death.
Prosecutors allege that Sangha supplied the fatal dose. She has pleaded not guilty and will stand trial in August. If the court convicts her on all charges, it will impose a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and could sentence her to life in prison.
