Matthew Perry’s Doctor to Plead Guilty Over Ketamine Distribution

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Dr. Salvador Plasencia, accused of supplying ketamine to Friends star Matthew Perry in the weeks leading up to his fatal overdose, has agreed to plead guilty to four federal counts of ketamine distribution, according to Attorney’s Office filings. He could face up to 40 years in prison.
What the Charges Say About Matthew Perry’s Cause of Death
Prosecutors allege Plasencia provided Perry with ketamine both via injections and by handing over syringes at his home and at a Santa Monica parking lot—at least seven separate times between September and October 2023—despite lacking a valid medical justification.

Moreover, he admitted texts with Dr. Mark Chavez showed they were profiting—Plasencia asked, “I wonder how much this moron will pay.”
Others Involved & Fatal Dose Given to Matthew Perry
Plasencia is the fourth person—following battlefield medical professionals, Matthew Perry’s assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, and intermediary Erik Fleming—to reach a plea deal. The dose that caused Matthew Perry’s death, though connected to this network, is understood to have come from alleged dealer Jasveen “Ketamine Queen” Sangha. She is scheduled for trial in August 2025 and is the sole defendant still pleading not guilty.
Fatal Consequences & Legal Context
Moreover, an autopsy confirmed that Perry, 54, died from the acute effects of ketamine. The drug was administered under suspicious circumstances, and the actor drowned in his hot tub on October 28, 2023. Additionally, the emergence of Plasencia’s guilty plea marks a pivotal moment in a case that has highlighted how off-label ketamine usage without oversight can spiral dangerously.

Why This Plea Matters
- Medical accountability. Plasencia’s admission signals the enforcement of laws against medical professionals who exploit patients for profit.
- Policy spotlight. The case has put off-label ketamine therapy under scrutiny. It shows the need for tighter regulations—or possibly bans—on unsupervised usage.
- Legal trajectory. Plea bargains with cooperating defendants lay the foundation for prosecuting Sangha in August, and possibly others connected to distribution.
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