Los Angeles (AP) – The doctor associated with Matthew Perry’s ketamine use is expected to enter a guilty plea on Wednesday in the wake of the “Friends” star’s overdose death.
Dr. Salvador Placencia is set to be the fourth of five individuals facing charges related to Perry’s death to plead guilty.
Initially scheduled for trial last month, Placencia opted to plead guilty to four counts of distributing ketamine. His earlier not-guilty plea was changed after prosecutors agreed to drop three additional counts and two related forged records in exchange for the guilty plea.
Placencia’s attorneys noted that following an agreement, it was clarified that Perry had not been under treatment by him at the time of his death, suggesting the ketamine linked to the overdose did not come from Placencia.
The remaining charges carry a potential maximum sentence of 40 years, although it’s uncertain what the ultimate outcome will be. Placencia was released shortly after his August arrest, and a sentencing date is still to be determined.
The only defendant yet to reach a plea agreement is Jasveen Sangha, a drug dealer nicknamed the “queen of ketamine” who asserts that prosecutors are exaggerating claims about the dosage linked to Perry’s death. Her trial is slated to start next month, and she has pleaded not guilty.
According to the prosecution and other co-defendants, Placencia illegally provided Perry with ketamine about a month before his death on October 28, 2023.
Reports also indicate that Placencia was observed in a conversation suggesting he viewed Perry as “silly” and potentially exploitable for financial gain.
Perry’s personal assistant and other involved doctors have already agreed to plead guilty to lesser charges, cooperating in the investigation targeting larger figures like Placencia and Sangha.
Perry was found dead by his assistant. Prosecutors determined that ketamine, commonly used as an anesthetic, was a primary factor in his death.
Perry had been using ketamine through traditional medical channels for depression treatment, a practice that’s become increasingly prevalent. He, however, sought more of the drug than what was prescribed.
In his plea, Placencia admitted that he had been linked to Perry through another patient and had illegally supplied the actor with 100 mg of ketamine as well as a lozenge and syringe.
He also let another doctor, Mark Chavez, assist in supplying the medication. Court documents indicate that Placencia texted Chavez about the situation.
It’s reported that Placencia mentioned having sold Perry ketamine for $4,500 and inquired if he could continue providing the actor with additional supplies.
Perry had long struggled with addiction, a battle he faced during his rise to fame as Chandler Bing on “Friends.” The show, featuring co-stars like Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox, aired for ten seasons from 1994 to 2004 and became a cultural phenomenon.
