Matthew Perry’s doctor to admit guilt in ketamine distribution case

Ketamine Supplier to Matthew Perry Pleads Guilty

A man who provided ketamine to Matthew Perry during the month before his death has pleaded guilty to several charges, according to recently obtained documents.

Dr. Salvador Placencia filed a plea agreement in federal court on Monday, confessing to distributing ketamine on four counts. The charges could result in a hefty maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, although he is expected to enter a formal plea in the upcoming weeks.

Perry, best known for his role in “Friends,” passed away on October 28, 2023, at his Pacific Palisades home at the age of 54.

Nearly nine months after Perry’s death, law enforcement has arrested five individuals connected to the case. A U.S. attorney stated that Placencia allegedly handed over a vial of ketamine worth around $50,000 to Perry’s live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, along with other drugs. In another transaction, he reportedly sold $11,000 worth of ketamine to Perry directly.

Introduced to Perry by Iwamasa in September 2023, Placencia is said to have learned the nuances of administering ketamine from Dr. Mark Chavez, who previously ran a ketamine clinic. Placencia taught Iwamasa how to inject Perry with the substance.

Chavez, meanwhile, is accused of submitting fraudulent prescriptions under a former patient’s name to obtain the drug. He has agreed to a plea deal for conspiracy to distribute ketamine.

Further complicating matters, Iwamasa also learned how to inject ketamine from Placencia and was involved in its distribution. It was reported that vials of ketamine cost about $12 each, and some conversations between the involved parties revealed a troubling attitude towards the actions they were taking.

Notably, Iwamasa pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine resulting in death earlier this month, and admitted to the role he played in Perry’s case.

Additionally, another suspect known as Jasben Sanga, dubbed the “Queen of Ketamine,” has been arrested and is charged with multiple offenses in connection with Perry’s death. She maintains a not guilty plea amid a series of serious charges, including possession with intent to distribute ketamine.

The investigation suggests that while Placencia was responsible for supplying a significant amount of ketamine, Sanga may have provided the dose that ultimately led to Perry’s passing. The substance, a dissociative anesthetic, is often used in various medical procedures. Reports indicate Perry had been using it as part of treatment for depression and anxiety.