A doctor charged in connection with the tragic death of beloved actor Matthew Perry has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges. Dr. Salvador Plasencia admitted to illegally distributing the anesthetic drug ketamine to the “Friends” star, a substance identified as the primary cause of Perry’s fatal overdose.
Doctor Admits Illegal Supply
Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who owned an urgent care clinic in Malibu, California, is set to plead guilty to four counts of distributing ketamine. According to the plea agreement filed in California federal court, prosecutors will recommend a sentence ranging from 15 to 21 months in prison. This stands as a significantly reduced sentence compared to the potential maximum of 40 years Plasencia could have faced if convicted at trial on all original charges.
Matthew Perry, 54, was tragically found unresponsive in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home on October 28, 2023. The Los Angeles County medical examiner determined his death was an accident caused by the “acute effects of ketamine.” Reports indicate Perry had been seeking larger quantities of the drug than his regular doctor provided for his depression treatment in the period leading up to his death. Plasencia reportedly began supplying the actor about a month before he died.
Details of the Supply
Court documents and plea agreements from related defendants reveal Plasencia supplied Perry with a substantial amount of ketamine, including 20 vials totaling 100mg, lozenges, and syringes, over approximately two weeks leading directly to Perry’s death. Plasencia visited Perry’s home on multiple occasions to administer the drug via injection himself. He also instructed Perry’s personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, on how to perform the injections and subsequently arranged further supply with Iwamasa. Plasencia has admitted his actions were outside the proper standard of medical care and not for a legitimate medical purpose.
Disturbing details from court filings highlight Plasencia’s alleged actions and motivations. Text messages cited in court show Plasencia referring to Perry as a “moron” and questioning “how much this moron will pay,” suggesting a potentially exploitative motive for the illegal sales, which sometimes involved significant payments like $4,500 or $12,000 for visits and supplies.
In one alarming instance on October 12, 2023, after administering ketamine, Perry’s blood pressure reportedly spiked, causing him to “freeze up.” Despite this serious adverse reaction, Plasencia allegedly left additional vials with the assistant for later use. He even messaged the assistant the day before Perry’s death about having stocked up on ketamine supplies and leaving them with a nurse, seemingly encouraging continued use despite Perry potentially considering a break. Plasencia also enlisted another doctor, Mark Chavez, to help him obtain ketamine for Perry, meeting Chavez to exchange vials.
Broader Case Context
Plasencia’s guilty plea makes him the fourth of five individuals charged in the federal investigation into the circumstances surrounding Perry’s death to reach a plea agreement. The individuals charged include those allegedly involved in supplying the drug and acting as intermediaries.
Notably, Plasencia’s plea agreement specifies that he did not provide the specific dose of ketamine that ultimately caused Perry’s death.
The only defendant who has pleaded not guilty is Jasveen Sangha, who prosecutors allege was a major dealer known as the “Ketamine Queen.” Sangha is accused of supplying the particular batch of ketamine that proved fatal to the actor and is currently in jail awaiting her trial, scheduled for August. Other defendants who previously pleaded guilty in the case include Dr. Mark Chavez, Perry’s assistant Kenneth Iwamasa (who admitted administering the fatal dose obtained from another source), and friend Erik Fleming (who acted as a middleman).
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada has commented on the case, emphasizing that while ketamine has legitimate medical uses when administered by professionals with patient monitoring, its illegal distribution and use carry significant risks and can have severe health consequences, including respiratory issues and loss of consciousness.
Plasencia, who was released on bond after his initial court appearances, is currently awaiting sentencing, as are the other defendants who have entered guilty pleas. His agreement marks a significant development in the ongoing legal efforts to hold individuals accountable for their roles in the tragic events leading to the “Friends” star’s untimely passing, highlighting the severe dangers associated with the illicit supply of controlled substances like ketamine.
References
- www.hollywoodreporter.com
- www.pbs.org
- www.cbsnews.com
- <a href="https://www.imdb.com/news/ni65338771/?ref=nwcart_perm”>www.imdb.com
- abcnews.go.com
