Courtroom scene highlighting the gravity of medical malpractice cases.
Dr. Salvador Plasencia has pleaded guilty to illegally distributing ketamine, which is linked to the overdose death of actor Matthew Perry. During court proceedings, he admitted to injecting Perry with the drug and acknowledged that these actions were not for legitimate medical purposes. Plasencia faces a potential 40-year prison sentence and plans to surrender his medical license. This case highlights serious concerns about the illegal distribution of ketamine and the associated risks of unregulated treatment practices.
Dr. Salvador Plasencia, a physician based in California, has pleaded guilty to four counts of illegally distributing ketamine, a controlled substance linked to the October 2023 death of actor Matthew Perry, known for his role on “Friends.” The plea was entered on July 23, 2025, during a hearing at the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.
In court, Dr. Plasencia admitted to injecting Matthew Perry with ketamine on multiple occasions, including at the actor’s home and in the back seat of a parked car. He acknowledged that these injections were not administered for legitimate medical purposes. The doctor faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison, although he is currently free on bond until his sentencing scheduled for December 3, 2025. Following his guilty plea, Plasencia announced his intention to surrender his medical license within 45 days.
During the court session, Plasencia appeared visibly distressed, frequently patting his face with tissues, reflecting remorse over his involvement in the case.
Prosecutors established that Dr. Plasencia operated a private urgent care clinic where he obtained ketamine from another doctor, Mark Chavez, based in San Diego. Investigators revealed that Plasencia illegally provided Perry with up to 20 vials of ketamine, along with lozenges and syringes, prior to the actor’s death. The medical examiner concluded that ketamine was the primary cause of Perry’s overdose.
It was also revealed that Plasencia sold drugs directly to Perry for approximately $4,500. Court records indicate that the doctor expressed a desire to become Perry’s preferred provider for ketamine, highlighting a potentially exploitative intent. Text messages uncovered during the investigation show that Plasencia referred to Perry in unflattering terms, calling him a “moron” and exhibiting an interest in profiting from the actor’s mental health treatment.
Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry’s personal assistant, discovered the actor dead in his hot tub and was involved in the drug supply chain, according to court documents. The case includes multiple co-defendants who have already pleaded guilty, with the exception of Jasveen Sangha, also known as the “ketamine queen”. Sangha has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for trial in August.
Matthew Perry, a renowned actor, died at age 54 in October 2023. The medical examiner reported that ketamine overdose was the cause of his death. Perry had been using ketamine legally through a prescription, but the drugs obtained from Dr. Plasencia were illegal and part of a broader concern regarding unregulated at-home ketamine treatment practices. The case underscores ongoing issues with oversight and regulation of ketamine distribution outside traditional medical settings, especially for off-label use in mental health treatment.
As Dr. Plasencia prepares for sentencing, his decision to surrender his medical license signifies acknowledgment of misconduct. The plea agreement and upcoming trial of Sangha will continue to shed light on the illegal distribution network associated with Perry’s death. The case exemplifies the potential dangers of unregulated drug dispensing and highlights the need for stricter oversight in the rapidly growing at-home ketamine industry.
Doctor Pleads Guilty in Connection to Actor’s Death
Dr. Salvador Plasencia Guilty of Illegal Ketamine Distribution
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