Sentencing for Counselor in Matthew Perry’s Death

The certified addiction counselor who provided ketamine to Matthew Perry, leading to his death, is set to be sentenced on Wednesday.

Prosecutors are aiming for a two-and-a-half year prison sentence for Eric Fleming, 56, who is one of five individuals that have admitted guilt in connection with Perry’s death in a Jacuzzi at his home in Los Angeles in 2023.

Fleming was responsible for linking Perry to Jasveen Sangha, a convicted drug dealer referred to by prosecutors as the “Queen of Ketamine.” Sangha received a 15-year prison sentence last month.

The defense argues in a sentencing memo that Fleming has “gone to extreme lengths to atone for his criminal conduct,” asking the court for just three months in prison, along with nine months in a drug treatment facility.

Fleming cooperated with investigators as soon as they reached out to him, and he became the first to plead guilty to a charge involving ketamine distribution resulting in death in August 2024, prior to any arrests in the case.

This upcoming hearing will mark Fleming’s first court appearance since his involvement became known. He is the fourth defendant in the case set for sentencing in Los Angeles federal court under Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett.

In the sentencing memo, prosecutors noted that, despite his significant cooperation, Fleming’s role as a counselor who “knowingly undertook to sell illegal street drugs” should be taken into serious consideration, particularly since Perry had a history of addiction issues.

Perry had been using ketamine as a treatment for depression, but its usage outside of medical guidelines was becoming more frequent.

In the days leading up to Perry’s death, he needed more medication than what his doctor could provide, so he asked a friend for assistance. This friend then introduced him to Fleming.

Fleming, who had been a producer before falling into addiction, got sober and became a counselor. However, his lawyers mentioned that he relapsed in 2023 after the death of his stepmother, who had played a pivotal role in his life.

He obtained ketamine from Sangha, marked it up for profit, and delivered it to Perry’s residence, where it was sold to Perry’s live-in personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa.

Fleming expressed remorse in a letter to the court, stating, “I procured ketamine for Matthew Perry because I wanted money and because I thought I was doing a kind thing for a friend. I never considered the worst possible outcome. This disastrous failure will haunt me forever.”

Just four days before Perry’s death, he received a delivery that included 25 vials of ketamine at a cost of $6,000.

Iwamasa intended to administer the drug to Perry from that delivery on October 28, 2023, but later found him unresponsive hours afterward. The coroner determined that Perry’s death was primarily caused by the acute effects of ketamine, with drowning as a secondary factor.

Though Fleming could face a maximum of 25 years in prison, it’s improbable he will receive a sentence close to that. His lawyers highlighted that he has undergone “transformative” rehabilitation since Perry’s passing.

In his letter, Fleming noted, “I humbly accept my punishment and intend to spend the rest of my life working to become worthy of forgiveness.”

The last defendant, Iwamasa, is scheduled for sentencing within two weeks.

Perry, who passed away at the age of 54, was a prominent figure in television history, notably for his role as Chandler Bing on NBC’s groundbreaking sitcom “Friends,” which aired from 1994 to 2004.

Plans are in place for an auction of Perry’s belongings, including memorabilia from “Friends,” with proceeds going to a foundation created in his honor following his death.