The doctor accused of illegally supplying Friends actor Matthew Perry with ketamine in the weeks leading up to his death has agreed to plead guilty. Dr. Salvador Plasencia, a 42-year-old physician from Santa Monica, now faces a potential prison sentence of up to 40 years.
Perry, best known for his iconic role as Chandler Bing, tragically died on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54. He was found unresponsive in a private Jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home. The official cause of death was listed as “acute effects of ketamine.”
The Charges Against Dr. Salvador Plasencia
According to court documents, Dr. Plasencia has admitted to administering ketamine to Matthew Perry both at the actor’s home and in a parking lot in the weeks before his death. He is expected to formally plead guilty to four counts of distributing a controlled substance.
Prosecutors allege that Plasencia acquired ketamine through another doctor, Dr. Mark Chavez, who is also facing charges. Text messages included in court filings reveal a transactional and careless attitude toward the dangerous drug. In one exchange, Plasencia allegedly texted Chavez, “I wonder how much this moron will pay,” referring to Perry.
Documents also show that Plasencia sold Perry at least four vials of ketamine for $4,500 and asked Chavez if he could keep supplying him in order to become his “go-to.”
Dr. Plasencia was originally scheduled to go to trial in August 2025. With the guilty plea now expected, the case shifts toward sentencing, with the doctor potentially facing decades behind bars.
Who Else Has Been Charged?
Four other individuals have been charged in relation to Perry’s death, all of whom have reportedly pleaded guilty:
- Kenneth Iwamasa, 59, Perry’s live-in personal assistant, is accused of both sourcing and injecting ketamine into the actor on multiple occasions.
- Dr. Mark Chavez, 54, a physician who previously operated a ketamine clinic, allegedly supplied drugs directly to Plasencia.
- Jasveen Sangha, 41, dubbed the “Ketamine Queen,” was reportedly running an illegal drug distribution ring out of a North Hollywood location known as the “Sangha Stash House.”
- Eric Fleming, 54, a known street-level drug dealer connected to Sangha, admitted in court to supplying the specific batch of ketamine that led to Perry’s fatal overdose.
Prosecutors Condemn Exploitation of Perry’s Addiction
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada condemned the actions of all involved, stating:
“These defendants took advantage of Mr. Perry’s addiction issues to enrich themselves. They knew what they were doing was wrong. They knew they were risking Mr. Perry’s life — and they did it anyway.”
Estrada emphasized that the individuals involved were more focused on financial gain than the well-being of the beloved actor.
A Tragic End and Ongoing Legal Fallout
Matthew Perry had been legally prescribed ketamine for depression treatment under medical supervision. However, authorities say he was actively seeking more of the drug than prescribed. This created an opportunity for illegal suppliers to exploit his vulnerability — with deadly consequences.
The case remains a chilling example of how controlled substances, when misused and illegally distributed, can lead to fatal outcomes, even for individuals under legitimate medical care.
As the legal process continues, the focus now turns to sentencing for the accused parties, as fans and advocates hope for justice in the wake of a preventable tragedy.
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