Matthew Perry death: Doctor pleads guilty to supplying him with ketamine, despite knowing actor's addiction

 A doctor at the center of the investigation into Friends star Matthew Perry’s overdose death has pleaded guilty to supplying the actor with ketamine, despite knowing he was battling addiction.

Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 43, entered guilty pleas on four counts of ketamine distribution in a Los Angeles federal court on Wednesday, just weeks before he was set to go to trial. He is the fourth of five people charged in connection with Perry’s October 2023 death to plead guilty.

Prosecutors say Plasencia, along with an alleged major drug dealer dubbed the “Ketamine Queen,” faced the most serious charges in the case. While Plasencia was not the person who sold Perry the fatal dose, he admitted to illegally providing the actor with ketamine multiple times in the month leading up to his death.

In court, Plasencia acknowledged giving Perry an injection that caused his blood pressure to spike—yet still left more of the drug behind for the actor’s assistant to administer. He also admitted to charging Perry thousands of dollars and enlisting another physician, Dr. Mark Chavez, to help supply the drug. In a text message cited in court documents, Plasencia referred to Perry as a “moron” who could be exploited for money.

 After the hearing, Plasencia’s attorney said he was “profoundly remorseful” and intends to voluntarily surrender his medical license. “He acknowledges his failure to protect Mr. Perry, a patient who was especially vulnerable due to addiction,” the statement read.

In exchange for the plea, prosecutors agreed to drop additional charges, including three more distribution counts and two counts of falsifying records. Although each count carries a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years, Plasencia is likely to receive less time at sentencing in December. He remains free on bond.

The only remaining defendant, Jasveen Sangha, has pleaded not guilty and is expected to go to trial next month. She is accused of supplying Perry with the lethal dose and is described by prosecutors as a prolific ketamine dealer.

Perry, who was found unresponsive in his hot tub on October 28, 2023, had long been open about his struggles with substance abuse. He had been receiving ketamine legally as an off-label treatment for depression, but began seeking more than his regular doctor would prescribe.

Plasencia’s case now raises broader concerns around the growing, loosely regulated at-home ketamine treatment industry. His attorney stated that the doctor hopes his guilty plea serves as a wake-up call for the medical community, and leads to stricter oversight to prevent future tragedies.

(Inputs from AP)