Mark Chavez, the doctor involved in the investigation surrounding the death of actor Matthew Perry, has pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy related to the distribution of ketamine. Chavez, 54, entered his guilty plea in front of a federal judge in Los Angeles on October 2. He faces a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years, with sentencing scheduled for April 2, 2025.
Chavez is currently out on a $50,000 bond and has surrendered his passport and medical license, agreeing not to practice medicine during this interim period. He previously reached a plea agreement during his initial court appearance in August, admitting to conspiracy charges concerning the distribution of the anesthetic ketamine. His attorney, Matthew Binninger, emphasized Chavez’s deep remorse regarding both Perry’s death and its impact on other patients.
Chavez’s admission follows the tragic death of Matthew Perry, who was found dead at age 54 in his Pacific Palisades home on October 28, 2023. Initially thought to be a drowning, his cause of death was later revealed to be the acute effects of ketamine. Perry had been undergoing ketamine infusion therapy to address anxiety and depression, with his most recent session occurring shortly before his passing. However, the ketamine in his system was not prescribed by a licensed medical professional.
In connection with Perry’s case, Chavez was arrested on August 15, along with four others, including Dr. Salvador Plasencia and “Ketamine Queen” Javeen Sangha. Chavez’s plea agreement disclosed that he sold ketamine to Plasencia, having unlawfully taken it from his previous clinical practice and made false representations to procure more by submitting a fabricated prescription without consent from a former patient.
Prosecutors indicated that Chavez was aware of Plasencia’s lack of experience in ketamine treatment yet still provided him with the drug for illicit sale. Chavez is the third individual to plead guilty in this ongoing investigation, while Sangha and Plasencia have both pled not guilty.
Ketamine, originally intended as an anesthetic, has dissociative properties that can induce hallucinations and a sense of detachment from reality. Although it has medical uses, it is also sometimes abused for its psychoactive effects and has been associated with serious incidents, including sexual assault.