Physician in Matthew Perry overdose case receives 2-1/2 year prison sentence

LOS ANGELES, Dec 3 A California physician was sentenced Wednesday to 2 years in federal prison for unlawfully providing ketamine to Matthew Perry, the "Friends" actor whose 2023 drug overdose resulted in his death.

Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 44, who operated an urgent-care clinic near Los Angeles, admitted in July to four felony counts of illegally distributing the prescription sedative. The charges carried a potential maximum sentence of 40 years.

Perry, 54, was discovered by his assistant floating face down in his home jacuzzi on October 28, 2023. An autopsy determined that the actor died from the "acute effects of ketamine," which, combined with other factors, led to loss of consciousness and drowning.

Ketamine is a short-acting anesthetic with hallucinogenic effects, occasionally prescribed for depression and psychiatric disorders, but also frequently abused recreationally.

Plasencia surrendered his medical license in September. According to his plea agreement, he had administered ketamine to Perry multiple times at his residence and once in a parked car in the weeks leading up to the actors death.

Perry had openly discussed his struggles with substance abuse throughout his life, including during his tenure as Chandler Bing on NBCs "Friends" in the 1990s. Federal authorities stated that Perry initially received ketamine infusions at a clinic for depression and anxiety, where he became dependent. When his prescriptions were limited, he sought out providers willing to supply him the drug illegally.

Plasencia said he was introduced to Perry by a mutual acquaintance and obtained ketamine from another physician, co-defendant Mark Chavez. Court documents revealed that Plasencia texted Chavez, referring to Perry, "I wonder how much this moron will pay."

Weeks later, Perry died after receiving ketamine from another co-defendant, a dealer nicknamed the "Ketamine Queen," administered by his personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa.

U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett condemned Plasencias actions, stating, "You and others helped Mr. Perry stay on the road to such an ending while continuing to feed his addiction," before sentencing him to 30 months in prison and imposing a $5,600 fine.

In court, Plasencia expressed remorse, telling Perrys family, "I failed Mr. Perry, I failed his family, and I failed the community. Im just so sorry." Perrys mother, Suzanne Morrison, addressed Plasencia, emphasizing the seriousness of his breach of medical ethics.

Four other individualsChavez, Iwamasa, Jasveen Sangha (the "Ketamine Queen"), and intermediary Erik Fleminghave pleaded guilty in connection with Perrys death and await sentencing.

Author: Lucas Grant