Five individuals, including Matthew Perry’s personal assistant and two doctors, have been charged in connection with the actor’s death from acute effects of ketamine.
During a press conference on Thursday, the Department of Justice revealed that Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry’s personal assistant; Dr. Salvador Plasencia; Dr. Mark Chavez; Erik Fleming, an acquaintance of Perry’s; and Jasveen Sangha, known as “the Ketamine Queen,” have been indicted. They are accused of providing the ketamine that led to Perry’s death in October 2023.
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada criticized the defendants, stating, “These defendants took advantage of Mr. Perry’s addiction issues to enrich themselves. They were more interested in profiting off Mr. Perry than acting for his well-being.”
Sangha faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to distribute ketamine and possession with intent to distribute both methamphetamine and ketamine. Dr. Plasencia is charged with conspiracy to distribute ketamine, while Iwamasa, Fleming, and Dr. Chavez face separate charges related to Perry’s death.
Iwamasa has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death, admitting to repeatedly injecting Perry with the drug, including multiple times on the day he died. Dr. Chavez, based in San Diego, has also pleaded guilty, admitting to selling ketamine to Dr. Plasencia and obtaining it through fraudulent means. Fleming has admitted to distributing ketamine obtained from Sangha to Iwamasa.
Los Angeles Police Chief Dominic Choi expressed relief, stating, “I’m happy to stand here knowing that these dangerous individuals are no longer on the streets and won’t be able to harm anyone else.”
The investigation revealed that, following Perry’s death, law enforcement uncovered a broad underground criminal network involved in ketamine distribution. Prosecutors allege that Plasencia and Chavez discussed pricing and selling ketamine to Perry, and attempted to cover up their involvement after media reports of Perry’s death.
Authorities also connected Sangha’s ketamine to a 2019 overdose death, underscoring the broader impact of the network’s illegal activities.
This case continues to unfold as authorities seek justice for Perry and work to dismantle the network responsible for his death.
