Matthew Perry’s Doctor Pleads Guilty To Distributing Fatal Ketamine Dose

One of the doctors charged in connection with Matthew Perry’s death has officially agreed to plead guilty. According to a plea agreement filed on June 16 in Los Angeles, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, known as “Dr. P.,” will plead guilty to four counts of distributing ketamine. The plea, which is expected to be entered in the coming weeks, could carry a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
Plasencia was initially facing even more serious charges—seven counts of ketamine distribution and two counts of falsifying documents related to the federal investigation. He’s one of five people facing criminal charges following the beloved Friends actor’s death last October.

Tragic Loss and Ongoing Questions

Matthew Perry passed away on October 28, 2023, after what the autopsy revealed was an accidental drug overdose. The medical examiner reported Perry died due to “acute effects of ketamine,” and also noted contributing factors such as drowning, coronary artery disease, and the presence of buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid addiction.

While the coroner’s office concluded its investigation in December 2023, the LAPD continued to look into how Perry accessed the drugs. By August 2024, Plasencia and four others were arrested in connection with Perry’s death.

Federal prosecutors have stated the five individuals “took advantage” of Perry for their own “profit.” The Department of Justice claims Plasencia reached out to another doctor, Dr. Mark Chavez—who once ran a ketamine clinic—to obtain the drug for Perry. In text messages, Plasencia allegedly said, “I wonder how much this moron will pay” and “Lets [sic] find out.”

Who Else Was Involved?

The other defendants have mostly accepted plea deals. Chavez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Erik Fleming, an alleged drug dealer, admitted to conspiracy to distribute and distribution of ketamine resulting in death. Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death.

The only defendant who hasn’t entered a plea deal is Jasveen Sangha, described by U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada as “The Ketamine Queen.” She’s facing multiple charges: one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute ketamine, and five counts of ketamine distribution. Sangha has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to go to trial in August.

Texts, Motives, and Cover-Ups

Prosecutors say the group knowingly endangered Perry’s life for money. According to text messages cited by Estrada, Sangha once wrote, “I wouldn’t do it if there wasn’t a chance of me making some money for doing this.” After Perry died, she allegedly sent another message that said, “Delete all our messages.”

As the investigation unfolds and court proceedings continue, Plasencia’s guilty plea marks a big step toward accountability in a case that shook Hollywood. The tragedy of Matthew Perry’s passing is compounded by the alleged betrayal by those who should have been helping him—and instead may have contributed to his downfall.