Doctor Pleads Guilty In Matthew Perry’s Ketamine Death Case; Agrees To Surrender Medical License

As a lifestyle expert with a background in psychology and personal experiences dealing with addiction, I find this story deeply saddening yet crucial to discuss. The passing of Matthew Perry serves as a grim reminder that substance abuse can have devastating consequences, even for those who appear to have it all.


One of the two physicians under scrutiny for Matthew Perry’s ketamine-related demise has officially admitted their guilt. Dr. Mark Chavez confessed to one charge of plotting to distribute anesthetic drugs controlled by law, in a federal court in Los Angeles at 11 a.m. PT on October 2, as reported by Deadline, Fox 11, and various other media sources.

On a $50,000 bond, Chavez is set to receive his sentence on April 2nd. This sentence could potentially see him spending up to a decade in prison. As reported by the BBC, Chavez has relinquished his passport and consented to immediately forfeit his medical license.

According to documents acquired by multiple news sources, Chavez, who operated a ketamine clinic, admitted in his plea agreement that he supplied Dr. Salvador Plasencia, another defendant in the case, with ketamine. Federal authorities claim that Plasencia subsequently sold this drug to Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry’s live-in assistant.

On October 28, 2023, it was Iwamasa who found the lifeless body of the Friends actor in a heated pool, which resembled a hot tub.

In response to multiple accusations linked to the case, Plasencia maintains his innocence. On the other hand, Iwamasa had earlier admitted guilt for a single charge involving a conspiracy to distribute ketamine that led to someone’s demise.

Five individuals, among them Chavez, Plasencia, Iwamasa, Jasveen Sangha (also known as the ‘Ketamine Queen’ by prosecutors), and Erik Fleming, a friend of Perry’s, were all indicted by federal officials.

In this case, Sangha is facing multiple accusations:

According to reports, it’s been alleged that Fleming, after admitting his guilt, served as a middleman during the transaction between Sangha and Iwamasa for the acquisition of fifty vials of ketamine.

As a dedicated admirer, I’ve always been captivated by the remarkable journey of Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the iconic NBC sitcom “Friends.” This show, aired from 1994 to 2004, spanned an impressive ten seasons and brought together the charismatic trio of Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, and Lisa Kudrow, along with David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc. For years, I’ve observed how Perry grappled with addiction, a struggle that seems to have roots in his “Friends” era.

If you’re acquainted with someone battling substance addiction, don’t hesitate to contact the relevant authorities and share your concerns. You can find numerous hotlines that can assist in such situations.

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2024-10-03 06:22