Counselor Erik Fleming given sentence for giving deadly doses of ketamine to Matthew Perry

Sentencing for Drug Counselor in Matthew Perry’s Death

On Wednesday, a drug addiction counselor was sentenced to two years in prison following the death of actor Matthew Perry. Eric Fleming, 56, had pleaded guilty to being involved in Perry’s overdose at his Los Angeles residence in 2023.

Fleming, who previously worked in Hollywood as a producer and director, introduced Perry to a ketamine supplier, Jasveen Sangha, just weeks before the actor’s tragic passing.

Perry had been using ketamine to manage depression but was seeking more of the substance. He connected with Fleming through a mutual acquaintance undergoing treatment.

Fleming acquired ketamine from Sangha, marked up the price, and sold it to Perry’s personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, directly at Perry’s home.

Fleming also pointed fingers at Sangha, noting that he was the first among those involved to plead guilty to a charge of distributing ketamine that led to Perry’s death. In total, five individuals have admitted guilt regarding the circumstances surrounding the actor’s demise.

Last month, Sangha received a 15-year prison sentence for contributing to the overdose. He expressed remorse in court, claiming he took full accountability for his actions and felt as though his life had drastically changed.

Perry’s mother, Suzanne, and stepfather, Keith Morrison, were present at Sangha’s sentencing, where Morrison expressed complex feelings. He stated, “I feel sorry for you, Mr. Sangha. I don’t hate you…you’re a drug dealer,” emphasizing Perry’s talent and intelligence while insisting things should have been handled differently.

Separately, Mark Chavez, 55, was sentenced to eight months of home confinement and community service after admitting to providing Perry with a significant amount of ketamine in October 2023, despite awareness of the actor’s struggles with addiction.

Chavez’s defense requested leniency, explaining that his medical license had been revoked, forcing him to drive for Uber. In his statement, he also conveyed sympathy for Perry’s family.

In the weeks leading up to Perry’s demise, Chavez obtained drugs for a friend, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who had previously mentioned a “well-known patient” willing to pay extra for ketamine. There were unsettling accounts of Plasencia injecting Perry in inappropriate locations, which raised concerns about the environment in which such actions were taking place.

The last person involved, Iwamasa, is still awaiting sentencing. Prosecutors allege he was the one who fatally injected Perry, and he faces up to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy charges related to the distribution of ketamine.