Introduction to the Case
A doctor charged with giving Matthew Perry ketamine in the month leading up to the “Friends” star’s overdose death has agreed to plead guilty, authorities said Monday. Dr. Salvador Plasencia has agreed to plead guilty to four counts of distribution of ketamine, federal prosecutors said in a statement.
Charges and Sentencing
They said the plea carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, and Plasencia is expected to enter the plea in the coming weeks. Plasencia and a woman accused of being a ketamine dealer had been the primary targets of the prosecution, after three other defendants, including another doctor, agreed to plead guilty in exchange for their cooperation.
Background of the Case
Plasencia had been scheduled to start trial in August. An email to his attorney seeking comment was not immediately answered. “Friends” star Perry was found dead by his assistant on Oct. 28, 2023. The medical examiner ruled that ketamine was the primary cause of death. The actor had been using the drug through his regular doctor in a legal but off-label treatment for depression that has become increasingly common.
Matthew Perry’s Struggle with Addiction
Perry, 54, began seeking more ketamine than his doctor would give him. About a month before the actor’s death, he found Plasencia, a doctor who in turn allegedly asked the other doctor, Mark Chavez, to obtain the drug for him, according to court filings in the Chavez case. Perry struggled with addiction for years, dating back to his time on “Friends,” when he became one of the biggest stars of his generation as Chandler Bing.
Details of the Crime
“I wonder how much this moron will pay,” Plasencia texted Chavez, according to court filings from prosecutors. The two met up the same day in Costa Mesa, halfway between Santa Monica, California, where Plasencia practiced and San Diego, where Chavez practiced, and exchanged at least four vials of ketamine, the filings said. After selling the drugs to Perry for $4,500, Plasencia allegedly asked Chavez if he could keep supplying them so they could become Perry’s “go-to,” prosecutors said.
Other Defendants
Plasencia is accused of supplying the bulk of Perry’s ketamine in his final weeks, but another defendant, Jasmine Sangha, who prosecutors allege was a major ketamine dealer, is alleged to have provided the dose that killed the actor. She is also scheduled to go to trial in August. She has pleaded not guilty — making her the only one of the five people charged in Perry’s death who has not entered a plea agreement.
Conclusion
The case highlights the dangers of ketamine and the importance of responsible prescribing practices. It also underscores the need for greater awareness and education about the risks of addiction and the importance of seeking help when struggling with substance abuse. The guilty plea by Dr. Plasencia is a significant development in the case and will likely have implications for the other defendants.
FAQs
- Q: What is Dr. Salvador Plasencia charged with?
A: Dr. Salvador Plasencia is charged with four counts of distribution of ketamine. - Q: What is the maximum sentence Plasencia faces?
A: The maximum sentence Plasencia faces is 40 years in prison. - Q: Who else is involved in the case?
A: Other defendants include Mark Chavez, another doctor, and Jasmine Sangha, who is alleged to be a major ketamine dealer. - Q: What was the cause of Matthew Perry’s death?
A: The medical examiner ruled that ketamine was the primary cause of death. - Q: When is Plasencia expected to enter his guilty plea?
A: Plasencia is expected to enter his guilty plea in the coming weeks.
