Doctor Who Gave Ketamine to Matthew Perry Sentenced

A Los Angeles doctor who illegally sold ketamine to Matthew Perry in the weeks leading up to the actor’s death has been sentenced to two and a half years in federal prison. He will also serve two years of probation.

Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett clarified that while Dr. Salvador Plasencia did not provide the fatal dose, his actions contributed to Perry’s struggle. "You exploited Mr. Perry’s addiction for your own profit," the judge said.

Plasencia, 44, was the first of five defendants to be sentenced in connection with Perry’s death. All five had pleaded guilty, acknowledging their involvement in supplying drugs to the late actor.

During the hearing, Perry’s family delivered emotional statements. His sister, Madeline Morrison, said, "My brother’s death turned my world upside down. He was everyone’s favourite friend. Celebrities are human beings with families." Perry’s mother, Suzanne Perry, highlighted his resilience, saying, "He was even a successful drug addict."

Court documents revealed that Plasencia knowingly exploited Perry’s addiction. He referred to the actor as a "moron" in messages to another doctor and admitted that he could be manipulated for financial gain.

Plasencia pleaded guilty in July to four counts of ketamine distribution. Prosecutors dropped additional charges as part of the plea deal, which carried no sentencing guarantees. He faced a potential maximum of 40 years in prison.

Before sentencing, Plasencia tearfully apologized to Perry’s family. "I should have protected him," he said. "It hurts me so much. I can’t believe I’m here."

Perry, who died at 54, had been using ketamine legally as a treatment for depression. When his regular doctor refused to provide higher doses, he turned to Plasencia, who knowingly supplied the drug illegally.

Plasencia’s attorneys described him as a compassionate doctor who rose from poverty, emphasizing that selling ketamine to Perry was "the biggest mistake of his life."

Matthew Perry gained worldwide fame as Chandler Bing on Friends, which aired for ten seasons from 1994 to 2004. He battled drug and alcohol addiction for decades, and the effects of ketamine ultimately led to his death in October 2023.