LOS ANGELES — A Los Angeles-based physician, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, has pleaded guilty to four federal counts of illegally distributing ketamine, a powerful anaesthetic linked to the October 2023 overdose death of Friends actor Matthew Perry.
Appearing in a Los Angeles courtroom on Wednesday, Plasencia admitted to supplying the drug to Perry without a valid medical reason. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, although sentencing guidelines suggest he may serve significantly less.
The guilty plea is part of a deal struck in June, in which prosecutors agreed to drop additional charges related to falsified medical records and other distribution-related offences in exchange for Plasencia’s cooperation. As part of the agreement, he has also been ordered to surrender his medical license within 30 to 45 days.
Perry’s death, caused by the acute effects of ketamine and other substances, triggered a high-profile federal investigation into illegal drug distribution networks in Hollywood and beyond.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California confirmed that Plasencia’s sentencing is scheduled for December 3.
Meanwhile, one co-defendant remains in the case. Jasveen Sangha, dubbed the “Ketamine Queen” by authorities, is expected to stand trial next month. Prosecutors allege she operated a drug stash house in North Hollywood and was a central figure in the ketamine supply ring.
The case has cast renewed attention on celebrity drug access, prescribing practices, and the darker corners of Los Angeles’ wellness and party culture.
Read More: Assam Rifles Nabs Two PLA Cadres Along Indo-Myanmar Border in Manipur