Doctor who supplied Matthew Perry with Ketamine sentenced to prison and fined after 'Friends' star's death - Update

In a significant development in the aftermath of Matthew Perrys overdose death, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, one of the physicians who provided the late actor with ketamine, has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and fined $5,600. The sentencing took place in a Los Angeles courtroom with Perrys mother and half-sister present.

Plasencia had pleaded guilty earlier this summer to multiple counts of drug distribution. Following the hearing, he was immediately taken into custody. In court, he expressed remorse for his involvement, stating, I failed him, I should have protected him, referring to Perry, who struggled with addiction.

Previously, Dr. Plasencia entered a plea deal with federal authorities, admitting to distributing ketamine to the actor. Text messages between Plasencia and another doctor revealed that he had referred to Perry as a moron during their communications about supplying the drug. Despite this, federal officials clarified that the ketamine dose that caused Perrys death did not come from Plasencia.

Under his plea agreement, Plasencia could face additional financial penalties exceeding $1 million and has indicated he plans to voluntarily surrender his medical license within the next several weeks. His sentencing marks one of the first major legal outcomes in the ongoing investigations surrounding Perrys death.

Matthew Perry passed away on October 28, 2023, at age 54. His body was discovered in a hot tub at his Pacific Palisades residence. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiners Office cited the acute effects of ketamine as the primary cause of death, also noting drowning, coronary artery disease, and the influence of buprenorphine as contributing factors.

With Plasencias plea concluded, only Jasveen Sangha, nicknamed the Ketamine Queen, remains facing trial. She has pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, with her trial set to begin next month.

Author: Aiden Foster