California doctor to plead guilty to supplying Matthew Perry with ketamine
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Dr. Salvador Plasencia will plead guilty to supplying Matthew Perry with ketamine before the actor's death in October 2023.
California Doctor to Plead Guilty in Matthew Perry Ketamine Case
Federal prosecutors say the physician was part of an underground network supplying the late actor with the powerful anesthetic.
Los Angeles, California – A California-based doctor has agreed to plead guilty to supplying actor Matthew Perry with ketamine in the weeks leading up to his overdose death, U.S. federal prosecutors announced on Monday.
Dr. Salvador Plasencia will plead guilty to four counts of distributing ketamine, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. The plea is expected to be formally entered in the coming weeks.
Perry’s Shocking Death and the Ketamine Network
Matthew Perry, widely beloved for his role as Chandler Bing on the hit TV sitcom Friends, was found dead in his hot tub at his Los Angeles home in October 2023. He was 54 years old. Though Perry had spoken openly about his battles with addiction and depression, news of his death sent shockwaves across the globe.
According to the plea agreement, Dr. Plasencia administered ketamine injections to Perry both at his residence and even in a public parking lot at the Long Beach Aquarium. Prosecutors say the doctor also trained Perry’s assistant, who is also facing charges, to administer the drug and sold them extra vials for home use.
Disturbing Messages and Illegal Sales
Court documents revealed text messages in which Dr. Plasencia referred to Perry as a “moron” and discussed how much the actor might pay for additional ketamine. Between September 30 and October 12, 2023, Dr. Plasencia allegedly sold:
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Twenty 5ml vials of ketamine (100mg/ml)
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A partial supply of ketamine lozenges
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Syringes used for administration
Prosecutors say Perry was already receiving legally prescribed ketamine for depression but sought additional doses from outside sources.
Dr. Plasencia is one of five individuals charged in connection to what authorities describe as an underground network of medical professionals and drug dealers catering to Perry’s demand for ketamine.
Next Steps and Legal Proceedings
While Dr. Plasencia’s legal team has not issued a statement, his guilty plea could influence the ongoing cases involving other defendants, including Perry’s former assistant.
Meanwhile, five suspects in total have been charged in relation to Perry’s death, including another doctor, Dr. Mark Chavez, who has already entered a guilty plea.
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