A doctor’s 30-month prison sentence exposes how lax oversight of the booming at-home ketamine industry enabled the illegal drug supply chain that killed Hollywood star Matthew Perry.
At a Glance
- Dr. Salvador Plasencia was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for illegally supplying ketamine to Matthew Perry
- Perry died from acute ketamine effects in October 2023, with the drug supplied just weeks before his death
- Plasencia admitted to selling 20 vials of ketamine and recruiting another doctor to maintain a steady supply
- The case highlights dangerous gaps in regulatory oversight of the rapidly expanding at-home ketamine industry
- Multiple defendants await sentencing, including the “Ketamine Queen” and a conspiracy co-conspirator
Doctor Pleads Guilty to Supplying Fatal Ketamine
Dr. Salvador Plasencia received a 30-month federal prison sentence this week for illegally distributing ketamine to Matthew Perry and his assistant. Plasencia pleaded guilty in July to four counts of illegally distributing the drug.
The sentencing marks a significant step in holding medical professionals accountable for participating in the illegal drug supply chain that contributed to Perry’s death on October 28, 2023. Perry was found unresponsive in a jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home, with the medical examiner determining ketamine as the primary cause of death.
Matthew Perry’s ‘Dr. Ketamine’ sentenced for his role in ‘Friends’ star’s OD death https://t.co/7pUO88sxDD pic.twitter.com/IHshmhLlWf
— New York Post (@nypost) December 3, 2025
Illegal Supply Chain Exposed Through Court Documents
Court documents reveal Plasencia’s deliberate scheme to supply Perry with ketamine approximately one month before the actor’s death. Plasencia admitted to providing 20 vials totaling 100 mg of ketamine, along with ketamine lozenges and syringes, in exchange for $4,500.
More troubling, Plasencia enlisted Dr. Mark Chavez to assist in supplying the drug, explicitly discussing plans to become Perry’s “go-to” supplier. This coordinated criminal enterprise between two licensed physicians demonstrates how medical professionals exploited their access to controlled substances for profit, prioritizing financial gain over patient safety and legal obligations.
Systemic Failures in At-Home Ketamine Oversight
Plasencia’s legal team acknowledged that the case exposes critical regulatory gaps in the rapidly growing at-home ketamine industry. The statement emphasized that the case should serve as a warning to other medical professionals and lead to stricter oversight and clear protocols.
The at-home ketamine market has expanded significantly in recent years, often marketed as a mental health treatment, yet the industry lacks robust federal oversight mechanisms. This regulatory vacuum creates opportunities for unscrupulous doctors to divert controlled substances for illegal distribution, endangering patients and enabling addiction.
Multiple Defendants Face Justice in Perry Case
Plasencia’s sentencing is one chapter in a broader criminal investigation involving multiple defendants. Jasveen Sangha, known as the “Ketamine Queen,” pleaded guilty in August to distribution charges, including one count of distribution resulting in death or serious bodily injury, with sentencing scheduled for December 10.
Dr. Mark Chavez faces sentencing on December 17 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Perry’s former assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, and street dealer Erik Fleming have sentencing dates scheduled for January 2026. This coordinated prosecution demonstrates federal authorities’ commitment to dismantling the criminal network that supplied the drug ultimately responsible for Perry’s death.
Broader Implications for Medical Accountability
The Perry case underscores the urgent need for enhanced regulatory frameworks governing the distribution of controlled substances by medical professionals. Licensed doctors occupy positions of trust and access to dangerous pharmaceuticals; when they abuse that privilege for profit, they betray their oath and endanger lives.
The federal prosecution sends a clear message that medical professionals cannot exploit regulatory gaps to participate in illegal drug trafficking. Strengthening oversight of the at-home ketamine industry, implementing stricter dispensing protocols, and holding doctors accountable protects vulnerable patients seeking legitimate treatment from predatory practitioners.
