Exposing yet another case of a medical professional exploiting a vulnerable patient for profit, a doctor involved in a popular TV star’s death has pleaded guilty to distributing ketamine.
Read the tweet below this post.
Dr. Salvador Plasencia faces up to 40 years in prison after admitting to supplying the “Friends” star Matthew Perry with the powerful drug that ultimately contributed to his death.
The case reveals a disturbing web of medical professionals, drug dealers, and enablers who preyed on Perry’s well-documented addiction struggles.
Perry was found dead in his Los Angeles home on October 28, 2023, with ketamine identified as the primary cause of death.
Although the actor had been legally using ketamine treatments for depression, prosecutors said he sought additional quantities beyond what his regular physician would provide.
Plasencia admitted to distributing ketamine to Perry multiple times, including administering injections in parking lots and providing vials for Perry’s assistant to inject.
Moreover, court documents showed the doctor collected large sums for these services, including $12,000 for a single visit, while showing contempt for his famous patient.
“I wonder how much this moron will pay,” Plasencia texted about Perry, revealing his true motivation in exploiting the actor’s addiction struggles.
The case highlights America’s ongoing battle with both addiction and medical ethics.
While legitimate ketamine therapy can help those suffering from severe depression, the illegal distribution of the powerful drug represents another front in the nation’s drug crisis.
Plasencia’s guilty plea encompasses four counts related to ketamine distribution, though prosecutors agreed to drop three additional distribution counts and two counts of falsifying records in exchange.
In total, the doctor supplied Perry with 20 vials of ketamine, lozenges, and syringes outside of any legitimate medical framework.
Court documents revealed Plasencia even enlisted another doctor, Mark Chavez, to help maintain the supply chain, with the two men discussing how to exploit Perry financially.
Perry’s tragic death at age 54 came after a long-documented battle with addiction dating back to his time on “Friends.”
Doctor who helped supply Matthew Perry ketamine will plead guilty to drug charges https://t.co/k0wrbh1LSc pic.twitter.com/Ao3AG1H688
— New York Post (@nypost) June 16, 2025
Despite periods of sobriety and his public advocacy for recovery, the actor fell victim to a system where those who should have been protecting his health instead saw dollar signs.
The day before his death, Plasencia administered ketamine to Perry, causing a dangerous spike in blood pressure, yet still left additional vials with the actor’s assistant.
As per court documents, Perry died the following day from ketamine not provided by Plasencia
Several other individuals have been implicated in the scheme, including Jasveen Sangha, an alleged major ketamine dealer who has pleaded not guilty, and Erik Fleming, a friend of Perry who acted as a middleman and has pleaded guilty while cooperating with prosecutors.
Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry’s assistant, has also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine, causing death.
Furthermore, prosecutors stated that Perry had directed Iwamasa to procure ketamine beginning in September 2023, providing money and connections to sources.
Despite the guilty pleas from several defendants, none have been sentenced yet.
For Perry’s fans and those who loved him, the hope is that justice will serve as a deterrent to such reckless and damaging behavior in the future.
