First Convicted Defendant to Face Sentencing
Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who admitted to distributing ketamine to actor Matthew Perry weeks before his death, is set to be sentenced Wednesday in Los Angeles federal court. Plasencia pleaded guilty in July to four counts of ketamine distribution and is the first of five people convicted in connection with Perry’s fatal 2023 overdose.
Perry, 54, was found unresponsive in a jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home in October 2023. An autopsy attributed his death to the acute effects of ketamine.
Details of Plasencia’s Conduct
Plasencia, who ran an urgent care clinic in Malibu, distributed 20 vials of ketamine and ketamine lozenges to Perry and his assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, between Sept. 30 and Oct. 12, 2023, according to his plea agreement. The agreement states the drugs were not provided for legitimate medical purposes, and Plasencia’s care fell below the standard expected of a physician.
Plasencia’s attorneys acknowledged his mistakes, noting he was not treating Perry at the time of his death and did not provide the ketamine that caused the overdose. They described the episode as a serious lapse in judgment and said he has already faced significant professional and personal consequences, including losing his medical license and clinic.
Government Recommendation and Evidence of Misconduct
Prosecutors recommended a 36-month prison sentence, arguing Plasencia “sought to exploit Perry’s medical vulnerability for profit.” The government cited text messages in which Plasencia joked about how much Perry would pay for treatment and pointed to instances where he left ketamine with Iwamasa to administer, even after Perry experienced adverse reactions.
The plea agreement also notes that Plasencia consulted with another doctor, Mark Chavez, to acquire additional ketamine vials and lozenges.
Other Defendants in the Case
Four other individuals involved in Perry’s ketamine use have also pleaded guilty:
- Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry’s assistant, admitted to administering the drug and faces sentencing on Jan. 14, 2026.
- Mark Chavez, a former ketamine clinic operator, is scheduled for sentencing on Dec. 17, 2025.
- Erik Fleming and Jasveen Sangha, who supplied the ketamine that caused Perry’s death, are scheduled for sentencing in early 2026. Sangha, known as “The Ketamine Queen,” faces a maximum of 65 years in prison.
The government maintains that Plasencia’s actions, while not directly causing Perry’s death, contributed to the circumstances that led to the actor’s fatal overdose.
Looking Ahead
Plasencia’s sentencing will mark the first resolution in a case that drew national attention due to the involvement of the late “Friends” star. Courts will continue to address the remaining defendants over the next few months, highlighting the legal consequences of distributing controlled substances that result in death.
For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.