Matthew Perry: Doctor Who Supplied Ketamine to the Actor Sentenced to 2.5 Years in Prison

Dr. Salvador Plasencia received a harsh sentence for his role in the Matthew Perry case.

In addition to 30 months in prison, he was also ordered to serve two years of probation and a financial fine.

Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett imposed the sentence in Los Angeles federal court, and Plasencia was immediately taken into custody after the verdict was read.

Plasencia had previously surrendered his medical license in September 2025, an early indication of his guilt.

He pleaded guilty to four counts of ketamine distribution, a plea that avoided a potential sentence of up to 40 years in prison if the case had gone to trial.

In his statement, Judge Garnett emphasized that Dr. Plasencia, along with others, "assisted Mr. Perry to this end by continually feeding his ketamine addiction."

The judge also explicitly stated that Plasencia "exploited Mr. Perry's addiction for your own gain." 

However, Perry's mother, Suzanne Perry, his stepfather, Keith Morrison, and his sister, Madeline Morrison, delivered emotional victim impact statements.

“My brother’s death turned my world upside down,” sister Madeline Morrison said, crying. “It punched a crater in my life. His absence is everywhere.”

“The world mourns my brother. He was everyone’s favorite friend,” Morrison said, adding “celebrities are not plastic dolls that you can take advantage of. They’re people. They’re human beings with families.”

Matthew Perry died on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54, due to "acute ketamine overdose," with other contributing factors including drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine.

This death sparked an extensive investigation into the source of Perry's ketamine.

Matthew Perry had previously received ketamine infusions legally for the treatment of depression and anxiety.

However, when his registered physician refused to increase the dosage, Perry sought another provider willing to comply with his request.

This is the loophole exploited by Dr. Plasencia and other unscrupulous individuals.

Dr. Plasencia's motivation for supplying ketamine to Matthew Perry is crystal clear. He admitted to exploiting Perry's addiction for personal gain.

In text messages to other doctors, Plasencia even called Perry a "moron" who could be exploited for money.

Plasencia not only supplied ketamine but also injected it into Perry in various locations, including the actor's home and in the back seat of a parked car.

He sold Perry 20 vials of ketamine, totaling 100 mg, as well as ketamine lozenges.

Plasencia obtained the ketamine from another doctor, Dr. Mark Chavez, who was also implicated in the case.

The Matthew Perry death case involves several individuals, and Dr. Salvador Plasencia is the first of five defendants to receive a sentence.

One key defendant is Jasveen Sangha, nicknamed the "Ketamine Queen," who is alleged to be the primary dealer who supplied Perry with the fatal dose of ketamine.

Sangha has pleaded guilty to several charges, including maintaining a drug-related premises and distribution of ketamine resulting in death or serious injury.

Sangha's sentencing is scheduled for February 25, 2026, and she faces a potential sentence of up to 65 years in prison.

Kenneth Iwamasa, Matthew Perry's personal assistant who lived with him, also pleaded guilty.

Iwamasa shockingly admitted to injecting Perry with ketamine, including multiple injections on the day of his death, despite having no medical training.

Iwamasa's sentencing is scheduled for January 14, 2026, and carries a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison.

The other two defendants involved are Dr. Mark Chavez and Erik Fleming. Dr. Chavez, who supplied ketamine to Plasencia, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine.

Chavez's sentencing is scheduled for April 2, 2026.

Meanwhile, Erik Fleming also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine, having obtained 71 vials of ketamine from Sangha to sell to Perry.