Key Point Summary – Matthew Perry Ketamine Case

• Dr. Salvador Plasencia will plead guilty to supplying ketamine to Matthew Perry.
• The charge carries a possible 40-year prison sentence.
• Perry reportedly paid $4,500 for ketamine vials shortly before his death.
• Prosecutors say Plasencia sourced the drug through another doctor.
• Perry’s death was ruled a ketamine overdose by the medical examiner.
• A second doctor and two others already agreed to cooperate.
• A fifth suspect, Jasmine Sangha, will go to trial in August and has pleaded not guilty.

Doctor Pleads Guilty in Drug Case Tied to Matthew Perry’s Death

A doctor accused of feeding Matthew Perry’s dangerous ketamine use in the final month of his life has agreed to plead guilty, according to federal prosecutors. Dr. Salvador Plasencia will formally admit to four counts of ketamine distribution—a move that could land him behind bars for decades.

The case stems from the late Friends actor’s shocking death on October 28, 2023. Perry, who was 54, was found dead in his jacuzzi by his assistant. Medical examiners listed ketamine as the primary cause of death.

Secret Ketamine Deals Behind the Scenes

Prosecutors say Perry, struggling with depression and relying on ketamine infusions as an off-label treatment, began seeking out larger doses than his licensed provider would supply. That’s when he allegedly turned to Plasencia.

Court filings show Plasencia enlisted another doctor, Mark Chavez, to secure the ketamine for Perry. The two men allegedly met halfway between their practices in Southern California—one based in Santa Monica, the other in San Diego—and exchanged four vials of the drug.

One damning text from Plasencia to Chavez read: “I wonder how much this moron will pay,” clearly referencing Perry. That same day, prosecutors claim, Perry paid $4,500 for the drugs.

A Plan to Be Perry’s “Go-To”

According to court documents, Plasencia wanted to make Perry a regular customer. He reportedly asked Chavez if they could set up an ongoing supply arrangement and become the actor’s primary source for ketamine.

This hidden network of professionals and street-level suppliers has now unraveled, with most of the key players striking plea deals to avoid trial.

Who Else Is Involved?

Dr. Chavez has already entered into a plea deal. So have two other individuals whose roles have not been publicly detailed. That leaves just one defendant, Jasmine Sangha, still heading to trial.

Sangha is accused of directly supplying the fatal dose that killed Perry. Prosecutors call her a major ketamine dealer, though she has pleaded not guilty and is maintaining her innocence.

Hollywood’s Tragic Addiction Legacy

Perry’s long struggle with addiction was no secret. He openly discussed years of substance abuse, including alcohol, opioids, and stimulants, which began while filming Friends in the 1990s. Despite multiple rehab stays and an attempt to use ketamine therapeutically in recent years, Perry’s health battles ultimately overtook him.

He once said in interviews that he hoped to be remembered more for helping others get sober than for playing Chandler Bing. Now, his final chapter is being defined by a grim investigation into illegal drug sales and backroom medical deals.

What Comes Next?

Dr. Plasencia’s plea will be formally entered in the coming weeks. With four counts against him, he could face a maximum of 40 years in prison, though a lesser sentence is possible depending on his cooperation and judicial discretion.

As for Sangha, her trial is set for August. She remains the only individual out of five charged who has not folded under legal pressure.

Public reaction to the case has been one of heartbreak and anger. Many fans are furious that Perry’s relapse was enabled by professionals who should have known better. Some legal experts believe the court is sending a message about the misuse of therapeutic treatments like ketamine.

Outlook: Celebrity, Drugs, and the Fallout

The Perry case underscores a growing trend in Hollywood—celebrities using powerful drugs under the guise of therapy, only to fall into old patterns. As ketamine clinics expand across the U.S., federal regulators may soon face renewed pressure to clamp down on how the drug is prescribed and accessed.

For now, Perry’s fans and loved ones are left with memories of a man who brought the world laughter but suffered in silence behind the scenes. His death may end up sparking the kind of policy reform he once hoped his story could inspire.