Dr. Salvador Plasencia, a physician implicated in the tragic death of actor Matthew Perry, has agreed to plead guilty to charges of distributing ketamine, a drug that contributed to Perry’s untimely passing. Under a plea agreement filed on Monday, Plasencia faces up to 40 years in prison for his actions, which were part of a wider investigation into the circumstances surrounding Perry’s death in October 2022.
Perry was found unresponsive in the hot tub of his home in Pacific Palisades, with the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office attributing his death to the acute effects of ketamine. Dr. Plasencia was among five defendants charged in connection with the case. Three of them—including fellow physician Dr. Mark Chavez, Perry’s personal assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, and alleged drug dealer Erik Fleming—have already pleaded guilty to related charges. The fifth defendant, Jasveen Sangha, known as the “Ketamine Queen,” has denied the allegations against her.
The investigation indicates that Plasencia obtained ketamine for Perry and acted beyond the boundaries of medical practice. Prosecutors allege that he not only provided the dangerous drug to Perry but also instructed Iwamasa on how to inject it into the actor. Evidence shows that Plasencia had text communications with Chavez discussing pricing and expressing concern about Perry seeking alternative sources for the drug.
Perry, who openly struggled with substance abuse and mental health issues throughout his life, had turned to a local clinic for ketamine treatment for his depression and anxiety. After his requests for higher doses were denied by clinic doctors, he sought illicit methods to obtain the drug.
In the month leading up to his death, Plasencia and his co-defendants sold a total of 20 vials of ketamine to Perry for a staggering $55,000. Prosecutors detailed how Plasencia and Iwamasa mismanaged Perry’s interactions with the drug, highlighting a series of dangerous injections, including one administered in a parking lot, which had adverse effects on the actor.
Milgram from the DEA pointed out that Perry’s tragic journey began with manipulative doctors and spiraled into a network of exploitation rather than the proper assistance he desperately needed. She emphasized the unfortunate reality that individuals with addiction often find themselves victimized by those in positions of trust.
Following Perry’s death, Plasencia was also accused of producing falsified medical documents to mislead investigators, presenting a fictitious treatment plan that incorrectly stated the actor was receiving a regulated dosage of the drug.
Fleming has pleaded guilty to conspiracy and distribution charges resulting in death, while Iwamasa also admitted to unlawfully administering ketamine to Perry.
The case underscores a disturbing trend in the intersection of healthcare and drug misuse, calling attention to the need for better safeguards and ethical practices in medical treatment to avoid such tragedies in the future. The situation serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by individuals battling addiction and the importance of accountability within the healthcare system.