California Doctor to Admit Guilt in Matthew Perry Ketamine Case

The case unfolds as Dr. Plasencia is implicated in supplying ketamine to Matthew Perry, who struggled with addiction; the actor was found dead in October 2023.

A California doctor, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, has reached an agreement to plead guilty to multiple counts of supplying ketamine to the late actor Matthew Perry, as confirmed by federal prosecutors. The plea encompasses four counts of distributing the drug, potentially resulting in a maximum prison term of 40 years. Dr. Plasencia's plea is anticipated in the coming weeks, bringing attention to the circumstances surrounding Perry's tragic overdose in October 2023, at the age of 54.

Perry, famously known for portraying Chandler Bing on the hit series "Friends," grappled with addiction and has often spoken about his mental health struggles. His untimely death shocked fans worldwide, leaving many questions about the extent of his substance use. Evidence presented by prosecutors includes text messages from another implicated doctor, Dr. Mark Chavez, wherein Dr. Plasencia reportedly expressed disparaging remarks about Perry’s drug-seeking behavior.

Allegations suggest that Dr. Plasencia not only administered ketamine to Perry at various locations, such as his residence and a parking lot at the Long Beach Aquarium, but also trained Perry’s assistant on how to self-administer the drug. According to the plea agreement, the doctor sold Perry and his assistant a total of 20 vials of ketamine within a two-week span prior to Perry's death.

Dr. Plasencia is entangled in a broader case involving five defendants accused of participating in an underground operation supplying Perry with the drug. The late actor had been prescribed ketamine for depression yet sought more than his legal dosage. The ongoing legal proceedings surrounding this case shine a light on the intersection of addiction, celebrity culture, and the responsibilities of medical professionals.