Doctor Pleads Guilty Ketamine Matthew Perry — In a dramatic turn in the ongoing investigation into Friends star Matthew Perry’s death, one of the doctors charged, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, has officially pleaded guilty to four counts of illegally distributing ketamine in the weeks leading up to the actor’s fatal overdose on October 28, 2023. This important development further unravels how Perry—who had been undergoing ketamine therapy to manage anxiety—was supplied large quantities of the potent anesthetic outside the bounds of medical ethics and law.
Key Plea Details and Legal Ramifications
Dr. Plasencia, 43, appeared before Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett in federal court in Los Angeles on July 23, 2025, and entered pleas on four counts of illegal distribution of ketamine. In exchange, prosecutors dropped several additional charges, including falsifying records. Under federal sentencing guidelines, each count carries a maximum of 10 years, potentially totaling up to 40 years in prison.
During court proceedings, Plasencia admitted not only to providing Perry with approximately 20 vials, ketamine lozenges, and syringes between late September and mid‑October 2023, but also to personally administering one dose in Richard’s home—and handing off control to Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa. The lineup of pleas—by doctors Plasencia and Chavez, assistant Iwamasa, and supplier Erik Fleming—sets the stage for sentencing and spells deeper scrutiny of unregulated ketamine treatments.
Timeline of the Investigation
The original investigation began after Perry’s death on October 28, 2023, when the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner attributed the death to acute ketamine toxicity combined with drowning and cardiac issues.
By May 2024, LAPD and federal agents had launched a formal probe into the origins of Perry’s ketamine supply. In August 2024, indictments were announced against five individuals: doctors Plasencia and Chavez, assistant Iwamasa, drug dealer Erik Fleming, and alleged supplier Jasveen “Ketamine Queen” Sangha.
Iwamasa, Fleming, and Chavez pleaded guilty in mid-2024; Plasencia was scheduled to stand trial in August but shifted to a guilty plea on July 23, 2025. Sangha remains the only defendant to plead not guilty, with her trial set for August 2025.
Unethical Practices and Treatment Abuse
Throughout the investigation, text messages exposed alarming language used by Plasencia. He referred to Perry as a “moron” and speculated about “how much this moron will pay” for ketamine, revealing callous profiteering from a vulnerable patient.
Court documents show that Plasencia injected Perry in various public settings, including the backseat of a parked car near the Long Beach Aquarium, before leaving more supplies with Iwamasa—who lacked medical training. Together, the defendants supplied a box of off-label ketamine sufficient to overdose a high-profile patient.
The Role of Other Defendants
- Dr. Mark Chavez, a San Diego-based physician, pleaded guilty in October 2024 to conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Previously, he suffered burnout and personal issues, eventually providing ketamine to Plasencia.
- Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry’s personal assistant, admitted to administering ketamine—even on the day Perry died—and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death.
- Erik Fleming, a former TV director turned dealer, supplied street-purchased ketamine that proved fatal. He pleaded guilty in August 2024 and faces up to 25 years in prison.
Jasveen Sangha, the only defendant still claiming innocence, is accused of supplying fatal doses. Dubbed the “Ketamine Queen,” her trial is expected in August 2025. Vanity Fair
Broader Implications for the Ketamine Industry
This tragedy has exposed the risks of loosely regulated at-home ketamine treatments. Once a legitimate therapeutic option for treatment‑resistant depression and anxiety, ketamine’s growing demand fuels unethical practices—a problem feared by both medical professionals and regulators.
In court, Plasencia’s defense expressed hope that his guilty plea would prompt stricter oversight over ketamine clinics and at-home administrations, highlighting the urgent need for standardized protocols and accountability. The case underscores how quickly therapeutic tools can be diverted into exploitation absent ethical boundaries.
Conclusion
The Doctor Pleads Guilty Ketamine Matthew Perry storyline marks a pivotal milestone in one of Hollywood’s most tragic medical controversies. Plasencia’s plea reveals egregious violations: exploiting addiction, circumventing lawful prescription processes, and facilitating dangerous self-administration. With four of the five defendants admitting guilt, justice appears forthcoming—while Jasveen Sangha’s upcoming trial may deliver the final verdict.
This case isn’t just about fame and tragedy—it sends a clear message: unsupervised ketamine use can be deadly. The legal pendulum now swings toward tighter federal regulation, reinforcing that medical safeguards must outrank patient demand or celebrity status.
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