LOS ANGELES (AP) – A doctor charged with administering ketamine to Matthew Perry prior to the "Friends" star's overdose death is anticipated to plead guilty on Wednesday. Dr. Salvador Plasencia is now expected to become the fourth of five individuals charged in connection to Perry's death to enter a guilty plea.
Following an initial not guilty plea, Plasencia agreed last month to plead guilty to four counts of ketamine distribution, avoiding a trial that was scheduled for August. In a signed agreement filed in federal court in Los Angeles, prosecutors indicated that, in exchange for the guilty plea, they would drop three additional counts of ketamine distribution and two counts of falsifying documents.
While Plasencia’s attorneys have stressed that he “was not treating Matthew Perry at the time of his death” and that the ketamine responsible for Perry’s death was not supplied by him, the defendant faces significant legal repercussions. The remaining charges could potentially result in a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, though there is an expectation of a lesser sentence. Plasencia has remained free on bond since soon after his arrest in August.
The only defendant yet to reach an agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office is Jasveen Sangha, suspected to be involved in drug dealing and labeled the “Ketamine Queen.” She is accused of selling Perry a fatal dose of the drug and is set to go on trial next month, having pleaded not guilty.
According to court filings and assertions from co-defendants who have taken plea deals, Plasencia is alleged to have illegally provided Perry with a substantial amount of ketamine starting approximately one month before Perry’s death on October 28, 2023. Prosecutors highlighted a text message from Plasencia in which he referred to Perry as a “moron” and commented on exploiting him for financial gain.
Perry’s personal assistant, a friend, and another doctor have also pleaded guilty in previous agreements with the government, aiming to cooperate as the case developed against larger figures like Plasencia and Sangha. None of these co-defendants have yet been sentenced.
Matthew Perry was found dead by his assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, and the medical examiner determined that ketamine, often used as a surgical anesthetic, was the primary cause of death. The actor, who was 54 at the time of his death, had a long-standing struggle with addiction, dating back to his rise on "Friends," where he played Chandler Bing alongside notable stars such as Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox.
Perry had been using ketamine through a legitimate doctor under an off-label treatment for depression, which has seen increasing adoption. However, he began to request more ketamine than his physician prescribed. Plasencia’s plea agreement revealed that he was referred to Perry by another patient and began supplying him with substantial quantities of ketamine, including 20 vials totaling 100 mg of the drug, ketamine lozenges, and syringes.
Plasencia admitted to recruiting another physician, Mark Chavez, to assist in the distribution of ketamine. In a text message to Chavez, Plasencia inquired about the potential earnings from supplying the drug to Perry, reading, “I wonder how much this moron will pay.” After initially selling the drugs for $4,500, he allegedly sought to continue supplying them to become Perry’s primary provider.
Perry’s battle with addiction has been well-documented, affecting him significantly throughout his career. His untimely death serves as a tragic reminder of the challenges many face with substance abuse, and the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding his case continue to unfold.
