Doctor Pleads Guilty in Matthew Perry Ketamine Overdose Death

A doctor charged in connection with the ketamine overdose death of actor Matthew Perry has agreed to plead guilty to distributing the drug, the Department of Justice announced Monday. This development marks a significant step in the ongoing legal case surrounding the “Friends” star’s passing.

Dr. Salvador Plasencia is expected to formally enter his guilty plea in the coming weeks. He faces up to 40 years in federal prison for four counts of distributing ketamine without legitimate medical purpose. Plasencia is one of five individuals facing federal charges in the wake of Perry’s death at his Los Angeles home on October 28, 2023, at age 54. An autopsy concluded Perry died from the acute effects of ketamine.

Allegations Detail Drug Supply to Perry and Assistant

According to Plasencia’s plea agreement, he distributed 20 vials of liquid ketamine, along with ketamine lozenges and syringes, to both Matthew Perry and his live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, between September 30, 2023, and October 12, 2023. Plasencia, who operated an urgent care clinic in Malibu, admitted in the agreement that his conduct fell below the proper standard of medical care and that these transfers were not for a legitimate medical purpose.

Court documents reveal the alleged profit-driven nature of the operation. Plasencia was reportedly introduced to Perry by a patient who described the actor as a “high profile person” seeking ketamine and willing to pay “cash and lots of thousands.” Text messages filed in court allegedly show Plasencia discussing charging Perry a significant markup for the drug.

Plasencia obtained the ketamine from another doctor, Mark Chavez, who has also pleaded guilty in the case. Chavez admitted to diverting ketamine from his former clinic and obtaining more using a fraudulent prescription. Plasencia then administered ketamine to Perry on multiple occasions, including at Perry’s home and even in a public parking lot. He reportedly left vials and lozenges with Iwamasa, instructing the assistant on how to administer injections despite Iwamasa lacking medical training.

Details within the plea agreement describe an incident on October 12, 2023, during a ketamine administration visit, where Perry’s blood pressure spiked, causing him to “freeze up.” Despite this adverse reaction, Plasencia allegedly still left additional vials of ketamine with Iwamasa, knowing the assistant would continue injecting Perry.

Fatal Dose Supplied Through Separate Channel

Crucially, Plasencia’s plea agreement specifies that he did not provide the specific batch of ketamine that ultimately caused Perry’s death.

Investigators allege that as Perry’s need for the drug continued, Iwamasa began obtaining ketamine through a separate channel involving two other defendants: Eric Fleming and Jasveen Sangha. Fleming has pleaded guilty to distributing the fatal dose, admitting he obtained it from Sangha.

Other Defendants in the Case

Including Plasencia, five individuals have been charged:

Dr. Salvador Plasencia: Agrees to plead guilty to distribution of ketamine. Also faces charges for altering and falsifying federal documents.
Kenneth Iwamasa: Matthew Perry’s assistant. Pleaded guilty in August 2024 to conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death, admitting to administering ketamine on the day Perry died. Scheduled for sentencing in November.
Eric Fleming: Pleaded guilty in August 2024 to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine resulting in death, admitting to distributing the fatal dose obtained from Sangha. Scheduled for sentencing in November.
Dr. Mark Chavez: The second doctor charged. Pleaded guilty in October 2024 to conspiracy to distribute ketamine, admitting to supplying Plasencia. Agreed to surrender his medical license. Scheduled for sentencing in April 2025.

Jasveen Sangha: Allegedly known as “The Ketamine Queen.” Accused of supplying the batch of ketamine that killed Perry and operating a “stash house” for drug distribution. Has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for trial in August.

Prosecutors have characterized the defendants as an “underground criminal network” that exploited Perry’s addiction for profit. The case highlights the dangers of illicit drug distribution and the responsibility of those who enable it, particularly medical professionals.