Salvador Plasencia, the doctor of Friends star Matthew Perry, has announced his intention to plead guilty to four counts related to the distribution of ketamine to the actor, who tragically passed away from an overdose in October 2023.
Perry, aged 54, was discovered unresponsive in his hot tub at home in Los Angeles on October 28, with his death attributed to the acute effects of ketamine, alongside drowning and coronary artery disease as contributing factors.
Plasencia is among five individuals charged in what prosecutors claim was an underground operation involving both dealers and medical professionals who supplied Perry with the drug. Last October, Dr. Mark Chavez was also charged in connection with Perry’s death and has pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Additionally, Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwasama, and friend, Erik Fleming, have accepted plea deals related to their roles in the actor’s fatal overdose.
In exchange for their cooperation, Iwasama, Fleming, and Chavez received lesser charges while prosecutors targeted others deemed more culpable, namely Plasencia and Jasveen Sangha, often referred to as the “Ketamine Queen,” who allegedly provided ketamine to Perry.
Plasencia has now acknowledged, via a plea agreement, that he regularly administered ketamine without a legitimate medical purpose prior to Perry’s death. This plea could result in a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, although the actual sentence will be determined by a judge.
Court documents indicate that Plasencia injected Perry with ketamine both at his residence and in the parking lot of the Long Beach Aquarium. He is also accused of instructing Perry’s assistant, who is facing charges as well, on how to administer the drug and selling extra vials for home use.
Allegations include Plasencia’s attempts to disguise his actions by creating a false treatment plan for Perry, aimed at presenting the ketamine distribution as legitimate. Authorities have shared text messages where Plasencia reportedly expressed curiosity about how much Perry would be willing to pay for the substance.
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