Executive Summary
- Dr. Salvador Plasencia faces sentencing in Los Angeles federal court for distributing ketamine to Matthew Perry.
- Plasencia pleaded guilty in July and faces up to 40 years in prison, though a shorter sentence is expected.
- Prosecutors cited text messages revealing Plasencia mocked Perry while inflating the price of the drug.
- Five defendants, including another doctor and Perry’s assistant, have pleaded guilty in connection with the death.
Dr. Salvador Plasencia is scheduled to appear in a downtown Los Angeles federal court on Wednesday for sentencing regarding his role in the death of actor Matthew Perry. Plasencia, 43, pleaded guilty in July to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, admitting to providing the surgical anesthetic that contributed to the Friends star’s fatal overdose in October 2023.
According to the plea agreement filed with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Plasencia faces a statutory maximum of 40 years in federal prison. However, legal experts indicate he is unlikely to receive the maximum term. The agreement also stipulates a fine of at least $2 million. Plasencia’s defense attorney, Karen Goldstein, stated that her client intends to voluntarily surrender his medical license and has expressed profound remorse. “Dr. Plasencia is profoundly remorseful for the treatment decisions he made while providing ketamine to Matthew Perry,” Goldstein said in a statement.
Federal prosecutors detailed that Plasencia learned of Perry’s interest in obtaining ketamine in late September 2023. Court documents allege that Plasencia contacted Mark Chavez, another physician who operated a ketamine clinic, to procure the drug. In text messages cited by prosecutors, Plasencia wrote to Chavez, “I wonder how much this moron will pay,” and “Let’s find out.” Prosecutors stated that Plasencia sold ketamine vials to Perry for $2,000 each, despite the cost to the dealers being approximately $12 per vial.
The indictment indicates that Plasencia distributed the drug to Perry and his live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, on at least seven occasions between September and October 2023. Prosecutors noted that Plasencia continued to provide the drug despite being informed that Perry’s addiction was spiraling out of control. All five defendants charged in connection with the case, including Iwamasa and alleged dealer Jasveen Sangha, have pleaded guilty to various federal charges.
Judicial Proceedings & Regulatory Impact
This sentencing hearing represents a significant progression in the federal government’s crackdown on the illegal distribution of controlled substances by medical professionals. While the statutory maximum sentence suggests severe consequences, federal judges often weigh plea agreements, cooperation, and lack of prior criminal history when determining the final term. Defense counsel has publicly suggested that this case should serve as a warning to the medical community, advocating for clearer protocols and stricter oversight within the growing at-home ketamine therapy industry to prevent similar fatalities. The court’s decision will likely set a precedent for accountability in cases involving the diversion of medical-grade anesthetics for non-medical use.
