Doctor Sentenced for Illegally Providing Ketamine to Matthew Perry

Post by : Mina Rahman

A physician based in Los Angeles has been sentenced to two and a half years in federal prison for the unlawful distribution of ketamine to Matthew Perry during the weeks preceding the actor’s tragic passing. Alongside his prison sentence, the doctor will also face two years of probation.

Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett emphasized that while Dr. Salvador Plasencia did not administer the lethal dose, his conduct played a role in Perry’s ongoing challenges. “You took advantage of Mr. Perry’s addiction for your own gain,” the judge remarked.

At 44, Plasencia was the first among five individuals to be sentenced concerning Perry’s death. Each of the five defendants had pleaded guilty to their participation in distributing drugs to the beloved actor.

During the court proceedings, Perry’s family delivered heartfelt testimonies. His sister, Madeline Morrison, expressed the profound impact of her brother’s death, stating, “My brother's passing shattered my world. He was everyone’s favorite friend. Celebrities are human beings with families.” Perry’s mother, Suzanne Perry, noted his strength, saying, “He was a successful drug addict.”

Court records indicated that Plasencia willfully took advantage of Perry’s addiction. In messages to another physician, he referred to Perry as a “moron” and acknowledged that he could be exploited for financial benefit.

In July, Plasencia admitted guilt to four counts of distributing ketamine. As part of the plea deal, prosecutors dropped further charges, which did not guarantee any specific sentence. He faced up to 40 years in prison.

Prior to receiving his sentence, Plasencia expressed remorse before Perry’s relatives, stating, “I should have safeguarded him. This pains me deeply. I can’t fathom being here.”

Matthew Perry, who passed away at 54, had legally utilized ketamine as a depression treatment. When his primary physician refused to prescribe higher dosages, he resorted to Plasencia, who chose to illegally provide the substance.

Plasencia’s legal representatives portrayed him as a caring doctor who overcame poverty, asserting that selling ketamine to Perry represented “the most significant error of his career.”

Matthew Perry shot to global fame portraying Chandler Bing on Friends, which aired for a decade from 1994 to 2004. He battled substance abuse issues for many years, and the repercussions of ketamine ultimately led to his demise in October 2023.