Doctor who sold Matthew Perry ketamine before his overdose sentenced

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Actor Matthew Perry attends the premiere of "The Kennedys: After Camelot" at The Paley Center for Media on March 15, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)

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LOS ANGELES - A physician charged in the ketamine overdose death of "Friends" star Matthew Perry was sentenced on Wednesday in Los Angeles.

What we know:

Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 43, a physician from Santa Monica, was sentenced to 2.5 years in federal prison and immediately remanded to custody.

He pleaded guilty in July to four federal counts of distribution of ketamine, which is used as a therapy for depression but is also a so-called party drug.

Doctor sentenced in connection to Perry's death

A physician, Salvador Plasencia, who pleaded guilty to illegally distributing ketamine linked to Matthew Perry's death, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and immediately remanded to custody.

Dig deeper:

Federal prosecutors allege that in late September 2023, Plasencia learned that Perry, whose history of drug addiction was well documented, was interested in obtaining ketamine. Plasencia then contacted Dr. Mark Chavez to obtain ketamine to sell to Perry.

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Between September and October 2023, Plasencia distributed ketamine to Perry and his live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, on at least seven occasions. Prosecutors stated that Plasencia sold the ketamine to Iwamasa despite being informed at least one week earlier that Perry's ketamine addiction was spiraling out of control.

The indictment states that the distribution was "outside the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose."

Prosecutors noted that Perry was paying $2,000 per vial for the ketamine, while his dealers were paying $12 for each vial.

The indictment states that Plasencia conspired with Chavez about the inventory, price, and availability of ketamine to sell.

Chavez reportedly sold Plasencia orally administered ketamine lozenges that he obtained after writing a fraudulent prescription in a patient's name without her knowledge or consent. Chavez also allegedly lied to wholesale ketamine distributors to buy additional vials of liquid ketamine.

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The text messages between Plasencia and Chavez reportedly discussing the price were quoted by prosecutors as, "I wonder how much this moron will pay" and "let's find out."

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Iwamasa injected Perry with ketamine that was sold to him by dealers Erik Fleming and Jasveen Sangha, including multiple injections on the day of Perry's death.

How did Ketamine lead to Matthew Perry's death?

The Los Angeles Medical Examiner's Office revealed that actor Matthew Perry died from "acute effects of ketamine." But what is ketamine and how did it contribute to his death? Dr. Peter Chin-Hong joined LiveNOW's Austin Westfall to discuss.

Timeline:

2022: Matthew Perry detailed his years-long struggle with addiction in his memoir, "Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing."

Late September 2023: Plasencia learned about Perry's interest in obtaining ketamine.

September and October 2023: Plasencia distributed ketamine to Perry and Iwamasa on at least seven occasions.

October 28, 2023: Perry was found dead at age 54 in a hot tub behind his Pacific Palisades home from a fatal ketamine overdose.

August 2024: The five defendants were charged in connection with the death.

December 3, 2025: Plasencia is expected to be sentenced.

February 25, [2026]: The lead defendant, Jasveen Sangha, is scheduled to be sentenced and will face up to 65 years in federal prison.

What they're saying:

In a victim impact statement filed with the court, Perry's mother and stepfather, Suzanne and "Dateline NBC" correspondent Keith Morrison, directly addressed Plasencia.

"Matthew's recovery counted on you saying NO," they wrote. "Your motives? I can't imagine. A doctor whose life is devoted to helping people?"

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Plasencia's attorneys argued for a probationary sentence. Defense attorneys Karen Goldstein and Debra White said after the sentencing hearing that their client — who has surrendered his medical license — regretted his actions concerning Perry.

"He was a good doctor loved by those he treated," the attorneys said in a statement. "He is not a villain. He is someone who made serious mistakes in his treatment decisions involving the off-label use of ketamine — a drug commonly used for depression that does not have uniform standards. The mistakes he made over the 13 days during which he treated Mr. Perry will stay with him forever."

What's next:

The other four co-defendants have also pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing:

Dr. Mark Chavez, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine, faces up to 10 years and is scheduled for sentencing on December 17.
Erik Fleming, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy and distribution of ketamine resulting in death, faces up to 25 years and is scheduled for sentencing on Jan. 7.
Kenneth Iwamasa, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death, faces up to 15 years and is scheduled for sentencing on Jan. 14.
Jasveen Sangha, the lead defendant, faces up to 65 years in federal prison at her sentencing on Feb. 25.

Read more of this story from FOX 11 Los Angeles.

The Source: This report is based on public court documents, including the defendant's plea agreement and the federal indictment, which outline the charges and sentencing details. Key information and direct quotes regarding Dr. Plasencia's actions and state of mind were provided by his attorney, Karen Goldstein, in a formal statement following his guilty plea. The specifics of the conspiracy and the roles of the defendants were sourced directly from statements and filings made by federal prosecutors and the U.S. Attorney's Office.

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