Doctor pleads guilty in connection with death of Friends star Matthew Perry

Mark Chavez, a doctor from San Diego, formally admitted conspiring to distribute the surgical anaesthetic ketamine

One of two doctors charged in connection with actor Matthew Perry’s death has pleaded guilty in a federal court in Los Angeles, after reaching a deal with prosecutors.

Mark Chavez, a doctor from San Diego, formally admitted conspiring to distribute the surgical anaesthetic ketamine during a change-of-plea hearing on Wednesday.

The 54-year-old is the third person to accept charges following the death of Friends star Perry, who died on October 28 last year from the “acute effects of ketamine” at the age of 54.

US District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett scheduled a sentence hearing for April 2 2025.

He is facing a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Chavez, who is free on a 50,000 dollar (£37,600) bond, exited the courtroom with his lawyer Matthew Binninger.

In comments made to reporters outside court, Mr Binninger said that Chavez had “absolutely” shown remorse for his actions.

“(He has) accepted responsibility, plead guilty, admitted a lot of facts on record, he’s cooperating with the government, he has already started the process of surrendering his medical licence.

“He is taking this incredibly seriously.”

In his plea agreement, Chavez admitted to selling ketamine to another doctor, Salvador Plasencia, from Santa Monica, having diverted it from his former ketamine clinic.

In total, he transferred 22 viles of liquid ketamine and nine ketamine lozenges to Plasencia who allegedly sold them to Perry, the court heard.

Plasencia is set to face a trial on March 4 next year, after allegedly using Perry’s live-in assistant Kenneth Iwamasa to distribute ketamine to the actor from September to October last year for 55,000 dollars (£43,000).

Perry had been seeking treatment for depression and anxiety when he became addicted to intravenous ketamine last autumn.

According to the initial indictment, Plasencia is said to have conspired with fellow doctor Chavez to supply Perry with large amounts of ketamine, writing in a message: “I wonder how much this moron will pay” and “let’s find out”.

Plasencia will stand trial alongside Jasveen Sangha – an alleged drug dealer named by authorities as “the ketamine queen” – who is said to have sold ketamine to Perry for 11,000 dollars (£8,553) in cash.

The ketamine supplied by Sangha was ultimately the dose that took Perry’s life, a Drug Enforcement Administrator previously claimed.

Plasencia is facing a maximum sentence of 120 years in federal prison, while Sangha is facing life imprisonment.

During a previous court appearance, Plasencia denied conspiracy to distribute ketamine; seven counts of distribution of ketamine and two charges related to allegations he falsified documents during the investigation into Perry’s death.

Sangha also plead not guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine; maintaining a drug-involved premises; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute ketamine and five counts of distribution of ketamine.

Perry, who played Chandler Bing in hit US sitcom Friends, died after receiving several injections of ketamine from his live-in assistant Iwamasa.

Iwamasa plead guilty on August 7 to conspiring to distribute ketamine causing death – admitting to “repeatedly injecting Perry with ketamine without medical training”.

His sentencing has been set for November 6.

During the last few weeks of his life, Perry “turned to street dealer” Erik Fleming who is said to have sourced ketamine from Sangha.

Fleming pleaded guilty on August 8 to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine resulting in death.

He is set to be sentenced on October 30.

Plasencia is currently on release after posting a 100,000 dollar (£78,000) bond, while a judge denied bond for Sangha.

Published: 03/10/2024 by Radio NewsHub