- Perry used ketamine legally for depression but sought more than prescribed.
- He found Plasencia for additional ketamine a month before his death.
- Plasencia allegedly asked Chavez to obtain the drug.
- He has surrendered his medical license and is free on bond until sentencing.
One of the two California doctors charged in the overdose death of “Friends” star Matthew Perry has pleaded guilty to illegally distributing ketamine. Mark Chavez, based in San Diego, entered his plea on Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. He faces a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison, with sentencing set for April.
Another physician involved in the case, Salvador Plasencia, has pleaded not guilty, along with co-defendant Jasveen Sangha, who is accused of being an illicit supplier of ketamine and is referred to as the “ketamine queen.” Both are set to go on trial in March.
Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry’s live-in personal assistant, has admitted to injecting Perry with the drug, while the alleged middleman who obtained ketamine from Sangha has also pleaded guilty to related charges.
Authorities allege that Plasencia purchased ketamine from Mark Chavez, and in text messages to Chavez discussing pricing for Perry, he remarked, “I wonder how much this moron will pay.”
The defendant admitted to acquiring ketamine using a fraudulent prescription intended for another patient, fully aware that the drug was meant for Matthew Perry. He also acknowledged that he provided ketamine, a short-acting anesthetic, to Salvador Plasencia and understood that it should only be administered under medical supervision with appropriate safety equipment available.
Court documents reveal that Plasencia administered ketamine to Perry at the actor’s home and supplied vials for injection by Perry’s assistant. Plasencia’s attorney has asserted that his client prescribed and administered ketamine to Perry correctly and within medical guidelines.
Matthew Perry passed away at the age of 54 in October 2023 due to the “acute effects” of ketamine, along with other factors that led to him losing consciousness and ultimately drowning in his hot tub, according to a December 2023 autopsy report.
Perry had openly discussed his struggles with substance abuse over the decades, including during his time portraying Chandler Bing on the popular television sitcom “Friends.” He starred alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer for ten seasons from 1994 to 2004.
The actor had been using ketamine through his regular doctor as part of a legal but off-label treatment for depression, which has grown increasingly popular. However, Perry sought more ketamine than his doctor was willing to prescribe. About a month before his death, he turned to Plasencia, who allegedly then asked Chavez to procure the drug for him.
Chavez pleaded guilty as part of a deal with prosecutors, who offered him lesser charges in exchange for his cooperation in the case against Plasencia and Sangha.
“He has accepted responsibility and is cooperating,” said Matt Binninger, Chavez’s lawyer, during the court proceedings.
Chavez has surrendered his medical license and is currently free on bond pending sentencing.
