Physician sentenced for providing ketamine to 'Friends' actor Matthew Perry

A California physician who provided ketamine to actor Matthew Perry in the months preceding his fatal overdose was sentenced to prison on Wednesday. During communications with a fellow doctor, he reportedly joked about "how much this moron will pay" for the substance.

Salvador Plasencia, 44, is the first of five individuals linked to Perry's 2023 death in his Los Angeles home hot tub to face sentencing. He received a 30-month prison term for supplying the actor with ketamine at significantly inflated prices. Perrys struggles with addiction were widely known.

In a victim impact statement, Perry's mother, Suzanne Perry, and stepfather, Keith Morrison, criticized Plasencia for failing in his professional duty. "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?" Plasencia was not responsible for the dose that caused Perrys death.

Plasencia's attorneys, Karen Goldstein and Debra White, argued for probation, stating their client deeply regrets his actions. "He is not a villain. He is someone who made serious mistakes in his treatment decisions involving off-label ketamine use a drug often used for depression that lacks standardized protocols," they said. "The errors over the 13 days he treated Mr. Perry will remain with him forever."

Another physician, Mark Chavez, previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to provide ketamine to Perry. Prosecutors presented text messages from Plasencia showing he purchased ketamine from Chavez and sold it to Perry at a high markup. One message read, "I wonder how much this moron will pay."

Four additional individuals involved in supplying drugs to Perry are set to be sentenced in the coming months. This group includes Jasveen Sangha, reportedly nicknamed the "Ketamine Queen," who provided drugs to high-profile clients and could face up to 65 years in prison. Perrys personal assistant and another man pleaded guilty in August to conspiracy to distribute ketamine.

Perrys long-standing battle with substance addiction was well-documented. His death at age 54 shocked fans worldwide. An autopsy revealed high ketamine levels, prompting a criminal investigation. According to a plea deal, Plasencia visited Perry's home to administer ketamine injections, distributing 20 vials over about two weeks in autumn 2023. Perry had initially used ketamine in supervised therapy for depression, but prosecutors state he became addicted.

"Friends," which aired from 1994 to 2004, chronicled the lives of six New Yorkers navigating adulthood, relationships, and careers, turning its cast into global stars. Perrys portrayal of the witty Chandler Bing brought fame and fortune, but his personal struggles with painkiller and alcohol addiction remained hidden. In 2018, he experienced a drug-related colon rupture and underwent several surgeries. In his 2022 memoir, "Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing," Perry recounted numerous detox attempts, noting, "I have mostly been sober since 2001, save for about sixty or seventy little mishaps."

Author: Zoe Harrison