Topline: Dr. Salvador Plasencia faces prison time for supplying fatal doses of ketamine to the “Friends” star.
Published: December 8, 2025 8:00 am ET
Must Read
Left: Matthew Perry, Right: Dr. Salvador Plasencia (via AP Photo/Getty)
LOS ANGELES, CA — A Santa Monica physician who illegally supplied ketamine to Matthew Perry was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison on Dec. 3.
Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 42, admitted to four counts of distributing ketamine in a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.
Perry was an actor best known for his portrayal of the wisecracking Chandler Bing on the popular sitcom “Friends.”
Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett told Plasencia he “exploited Mr. Perry’s addiction for your own profit,” underscoring the seriousness of the charges, reported USA Today.
The sentencing is a key development in the federal investigation launched after Perry, 54, died Oct. 28, 2023. An autopsy determined the “Friends” star suffered an overdose from acute ketamine effects, as per the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Perry was found in the jacuzzi at his Pacific Palisades home. Contributing factors included drowning, coronary artery disease, and buprenorphine, according to the report.
Plasencia was one of five people charged Aug. 15 in connection with Perry’s death, reported People magazine.
Prosecutors said the group supplied ketamine to the actor in the final weeks of his life, exploiting his history of substance abuse. All five pleaded guilty.
Court records show Perry initially sought ketamine therapy for depression and anxiety but became severely addicted, sometimes injecting the drug six to eight times a day.
Prosecutors highlighted Plasencia’s financial motives, citing a text message he sent to fellow physician Mark Chavez about Perry, asking how much “this moron will pay.”
Another defendant, Jasveen Sangha, 41, of North Hollywood, was described by prosecutors as the “Ketamine Queen.” She pleaded guilty to distributing ketamine resulting in death or serious injury and maintaining a drug-involved premises.
Authorities alleged Sangha sold ketamine to Perry on Oct. 24, 2023, four days before his death, and that she had a roster of celebrity clients.
Chavez, Kenneth Iwamasa, and Erik Fleming also pleaded guilty to related charges and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. Their testimony helped secure convictions against Plasencia and Sangha.
Iwamasa, Perry’s longtime assistant, admitted in his plea agreement that Perry received three ketamine injections on the day he died. He left the residence after the final dose and returned to find the actor unresponsive.
Perry’s family, including his mother Suzanne Perry and stepfather Keith Morrison, condemned those involved in his drug use, calling them “greedy jackals” in a letter published earlier this year.
With Wednesday’s sentencing, Plasencia’s role in the drug distribution scheme has been resolved. He will serve 30 months in federal prison, closing a chapter in the high-profile case surrounding Perry’s death.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Doctor Sentenced to Prison in Matthew Perry Ketamine Case
Dr. Salvador Plasencia faces prison time for supplying fatal doses of ketamine to the “Friends” star.
By Kate Byrd
Published: December 8, 2025 8:00 am ET
Left: Matthew Perry, Right: Dr. Salvador Plasencia (via AP Photo/Getty)
LOS ANGELES, CA — A Santa Monica physician who illegally supplied ketamine to Matthew Perry was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison on Dec. 3.
Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 42, admitted to four counts of distributing ketamine in a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.
Perry was an actor best known for his portrayal of the wisecracking Chandler Bing on the popular sitcom “Friends.”
Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett told Plasencia he “exploited Mr. Perry’s addiction for your own profit,” underscoring the seriousness of the charges, reported USA Today.
The sentencing is a key development in the federal investigation launched after Perry, 54, died Oct. 28, 2023. An autopsy determined the “Friends” star suffered an overdose from acute ketamine effects, as per the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Perry was found in the jacuzzi at his Pacific Palisades home. Contributing factors included drowning, coronary artery disease, and buprenorphine, according to the report.
Plasencia was one of five people charged Aug. 15 in connection with Perry’s death, reported People magazine.
Prosecutors said the group supplied ketamine to the actor in the final weeks of his life, exploiting his history of substance abuse. All five pleaded guilty.
Court records show Perry initially sought ketamine therapy for depression and anxiety but became severely addicted, sometimes injecting the drug six to eight times a day.
Prosecutors highlighted Plasencia’s financial motives, citing a text message he sent to fellow physician Mark Chavez about Perry, asking how much “this moron will pay.”
Another defendant, Jasveen Sangha, 41, of North Hollywood, was described by prosecutors as the “Ketamine Queen.” She pleaded guilty to distributing ketamine resulting in death or serious injury and maintaining a drug-involved premises.
Authorities alleged Sangha sold ketamine to Perry on Oct. 24, 2023, four days before his death, and that she had a roster of celebrity clients.
Chavez, Kenneth Iwamasa, and Erik Fleming also pleaded guilty to related charges and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. Their testimony helped secure convictions against Plasencia and Sangha.
Iwamasa, Perry’s longtime assistant, admitted in his plea agreement that Perry received three ketamine injections on the day he died. He left the residence after the final dose and returned to find the actor unresponsive.
Perry’s family, including his mother Suzanne Perry and stepfather Keith Morrison, condemned those involved in his drug use, calling them “greedy jackals” in a letter published earlier this year.
With Wednesday’s sentencing, Plasencia’s role in the drug distribution scheme has been resolved. He will serve 30 months in federal prison, closing a chapter in the high-profile case surrounding Perry’s death.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Doctor Sentenced to Prison in Matthew Perry Ketamine Case
Dr. Salvador Plasencia faces prison time for supplying fatal doses of ketamine to the “Friends” star.
By Kate Byrd
Published: December 8, 2025 8:00 am ET
Left: Matthew Perry, Right: Dr. Salvador Plasencia (via AP Photo/Getty)
LOS ANGELES, CA — A Santa Monica physician who illegally supplied ketamine to Matthew Perry was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison on Dec. 3.
Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 42, admitted to four counts of distributing ketamine in a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.
Perry was an actor best known for his portrayal of the wisecracking Chandler Bing on the popular sitcom “Friends.”
Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett told Plasencia he “exploited Mr. Perry’s addiction for your own profit,” underscoring the seriousness of the charges, reported USA Today.
The sentencing is a key development in the federal investigation launched after Perry, 54, died Oct. 28, 2023. An autopsy determined the “Friends” star suffered an overdose from acute ketamine effects, as per the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Perry was found in the jacuzzi at his Pacific Palisades home. Contributing factors included drowning, coronary artery disease, and buprenorphine, according to the report.
Plasencia was one of five people charged Aug. 15 in connection with Perry’s death, reported People magazine.
Prosecutors said the group supplied ketamine to the actor in the final weeks of his life, exploiting his history of substance abuse. All five pleaded guilty.
Court records show Perry initially sought ketamine therapy for depression and anxiety but became severely addicted, sometimes injecting the drug six to eight times a day.
Prosecutors highlighted Plasencia’s financial motives, citing a text message he sent to fellow physician Mark Chavez about Perry, asking how much “this moron will pay.”
Another defendant, Jasveen Sangha, 41, of North Hollywood, was described by prosecutors as the “Ketamine Queen.” She pleaded guilty to distributing ketamine resulting in death or serious injury and maintaining a drug-involved premises.
Authorities alleged Sangha sold ketamine to Perry on Oct. 24, 2023, four days before his death, and that she had a roster of celebrity clients.
Chavez, Kenneth Iwamasa, and Erik Fleming also pleaded guilty to related charges and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. Their testimony helped secure convictions against Plasencia and Sangha.
Iwamasa, Perry’s longtime assistant, admitted in his plea agreement that Perry received three ketamine injections on the day he died. He left the residence after the final dose and returned to find the actor unresponsive.
Perry’s family, including his mother Suzanne Perry and stepfather Keith Morrison, condemned those involved in his drug use, calling them “greedy jackals” in a letter published earlier this year.
With Wednesday’s sentencing, Plasencia’s role in the drug distribution scheme has been resolved. He will serve 30 months in federal prison, closing a chapter in the high-profile case surrounding Perry’s death.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
