Key Developments in Matthew Perry Ketamine Case as Dr. Plasencia to Plead Guilty

Los Angeles, Jul 23 (AP) — A significant development has emerged in the case involving the tragic death of "Friends" star Matthew Perry. Dr. Salvador Plasencia, accused of supplying Perry with ketamine prior to the actor's overdose, is set to plead guilty this Wednesday. Dr. Plasencia will become the fourth individual to admit guilt among the five people charged in connection to this case.

Having initially maintained his innocence, Plasencia has recently agreed to plead guilty to four counts of distributing ketamine. This plea arrangement, documented in a Los Angeles federal court, entails dropping three other distribution charges and two counts related to falsifying records. Significantly, while his attorneys highlighted that Plasencia wasn't treating Perry when he died and didn't provide the fatal ketamine dose, the remaining charges could result in a maximum 40-year imprisonment. However, it’s anticipated that his sentence could be less severe. Dr. Plasencia, who has been out on bond since August, awaits a sentencing hearing at a later date.

The spotlight now turns to Jasveen Sangha, the lone defendant yet to settle with the U.S. Attorney's Office. Dubbed the "Ketamine Queen," prosecutors allege Sangha sold the ketamine dose that led to Perry's death. Her trial is slated for next month and she pleads not guilty.

Evidence from prosecutors and co-defendants claiming Plasencia began illegally supplying Perry ketamine about a month before his death on October 28, 2023. A text message from Plasencia reportedly labeled Perry a "moron" who could be financially exploited.

In plea agreements from Perry’s personal assistant, friend, and another cooperating doctor, the government has built a case to prosecute Plasencia and Sangha. None of these individuals have been sentenced as yet. Perry's assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, discovered him deceased, with a medical examination confirming ketamine as the primary cause. Perry was initially using the drug under his doctor’s supervision as an unconventional depression treatment but sought increased amounts.

Dr. Plasencia admitted he was connected to Perry via another patient and supplied the actor with 20 vials of ketamine (totaling 100 mg) and additional ketamine products about one month before Perry's demise, enlisting Dr. Mark Chavez to assist. Plasencia’s text messages, revealed in court, discussed financial gain from Perry, even after an initial $4,500 transaction, as they explored becoming Perry's primary suppliers.

Perry’s struggles with addiction were notable, dating back to his tenure on "Friends," where he captured audiences as Chandler Bing alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer. The beloved series ran for a decade from 1994 to 2004 on NBC.

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