A California physician, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges for illegally distributing ketamine to actor Matthew Perry in the weeks leading up to the star’s fatal overdose, U.S. prosecutors announced Monday.
Plasencia, who faces four counts of ketamine distribution, could receive a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. He is expected to formally enter his guilty plea in the coming weeks.
Perry, 54, best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the hit TV series Friends, was found dead in his hot tub at his Los Angeles home in October 2023. Despite being open about his long-standing struggles with addiction and mental health, news of his death shocked fans worldwide.
Court documents filed as part of the plea deal allege that Dr. Plasencia administered ketamine to Perry at his residence and in public spaces, including a parking lot near the Long Beach Aquarium. He also allegedly instructed Perry’s assistant on how to use the drug and sold them additional vials for home use. Text messages cited in the case show Plasencia referring to Perry as a “moron” and asking how much he was willing to pay for the substances.
Plasencia is one of five individuals charged in connection with what authorities describe as a criminal network of medical professionals and drug suppliers. Although Perry had a legal prescription for ketamine to treat depression, investigators say he obtained amounts far exceeding his authorized dosage. The plea agreement states that between September 30 and October 12, 2023, Plasencia sold Perry and his assistant twenty vials of ketamine, ketamine lozenges, and syringes.
Nzubechukwu Eze
