A California physician at the center of a federal investigation into Friends star Matthew Perry’s death has agreed to plead guilty.
Dr. Salvador Plasencia, accused of supplying the actor with large doses of ketamine in the weeks before his fatal overdose in October 2023, will admit to four counts of distributing ketamine, according to federal prosecutors.
Charges & Plea Agreement
Under the plea agreement, Dr. Plasencia faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and is scheduled to enter his plea in the coming weeks. He will plead guilty to four separate counts of distributing ketamine.
In exchange, prosecutors will drop three additional distribution charges and two counts of falsifying medical records.
Who Is Dr. Salvador Plasencia?
- Based in Malibu Canyon Urgent Care, Dr. Plasencia, also known as “Dr. P,” allegedly sold Perry approximately twenty 5 ml vials of ketamine, along with lozenges and syringes, between September 30 and October 12, 2023.
- Text messages between Dr. Plasencia and co-physician Dr. Mark Chavez show Plasencia referring to Perry as a “moron” and remarking, “I wonder how much this moron will pay,” revealing a willingness to exploit Perry’s vulnerability for profit .
How He Supplied the Drug
- Court filings state Dr. Plasencia administered ketamine to Perry at his home and even in a public parking lot at the Long Beach Aquarium.
- He also trained Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, on how to inject ketamine and left extra vials for later use.
Part of an Underground Supply Network
Dr. Plasencia is one of five individuals charged in connection with an underground syndicate that supplied Perry with illicit ketamine.
- Dr. Mark Chavez (paternal collaborator) and two others—Erik Fleming (middleman), and Kenneth Iwamasa (assistant/injector)—have already pleaded guilty.
- The alleged “Ketamine Queen,” Jasveen Sangha, remains the only defendant to plead not guilty and is slated for trial in August 2025.
Perry’s Legacy and Cause of Death
Matthew Perry, adored worldwide as Chandler Bing from Friends, died in his hot tub in October 2023 at age 54. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner determined the acute effects of ketamine were the primary cause of death, with other substances listed as contributing factors.
Exploiting Addiction for Profit
Authorities argue that Plasencia and his co-defendants exploited Perry’s opioid addiction in a lucrative scheme:
- Each vial was overpriced—billed up to $2,000 each, with over $55,000 exchanged in cash.
- U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada criticized the defendants for prioritizing profit over Perry’s well-being, stating they “cared more about profiting off Mr. Perry than caring for his well-being.”
Defense vs. Prosecution
- Plasencia’s attorney contends he was genuinely trying to provide medical assistance: “Ultimately, Dr. Plasencia was operating with what he thought were the best of medical intentions… His only concern was to give the best medical treatment and to do no harm.”
- Prosecutors countered that Plasencia knowingly deviated from professional standards, sold unapproved quantities, trained unqualified individuals, and accepted excessive payments.
What Comes Next
- While sentencing guidelines allow up to 40 years behind bars, the plea could reduce Plasencia’s prison time significantly through cooperation.
- Jasveen Sangha will face trial in August; Dr. Chavez, Iwamasa, and Fleming are awaiting sentencing.
- The case continues to raise concerns about ketamine’s misuse in mental health treatment, calling for tighter oversight of prescribing practices.
This case underscores how powerful medications can be misused—especially when vulnerable individuals like Matthew Perry fall prey to unethical prescribers.
As California doctor Salvador Plasencia prepares to plead guilty, the legal outcome will highlight the delicate balance between medical innovation and criminal exploitation.