Medical professional admits to dispensing ketamine linked to Matthew Perry's demise
In a shocking turn of events, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, a California-based doctor, has pleaded guilty to four counts of distributing ketamine, a powerful dissociative anaesthetic, in a case linked to the tragic death of actor Matthew Perry.
The US Attorney's Office of the Central District of California made the announcement on Wednesday, revealing that Plasencia faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 3.
Plasencia's guilty plea comes after an underground network of drug sellers and suppliers was accused of distributing the ketamine that led to Perry's demise. Besides Dr. Plasencia, there are four other individuals charged in relation to the case. Among them is Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry's live-in assistant, who pleaded guilty to connected charges last year.
Plasencia expressed remorse for providing ketamine to Perry, who was especially vulnerable due to his addiction. In a statement shared with CNN this week, Plasencia acknowledged his failure to protect Perry and intends to surrender his medical license in the next six weeks.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office autopsy report revealed that Perry died due to "acute effects" of ketamine and subsequent drowning. Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing in the iconic TV show "Friends," passed away in August 2019 at his Pacific Palisades home. Plasencia's body was found floating face down in a hot tub at the same residence.
In addition to the 40-year maximum sentence, Plasencia could face a three-year period of supervised release and a fine of $2 million or twice the gross gain or loss from the offenses. He will remain free on bond until his sentencing.
A woman named Sangha is also charged in the case. She faces multiple counts including conspiracy to distribute ketamine, maintaining a drug-involved premises, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and ketamine, and several counts of ketamine distribution. Sangha has pleaded not guilty and is the only one among the five charged who has not entered a plea agreement. Her trial is scheduled for August.
The US Attorney's office for the Central District of California announced last month that Plasencia faces a mandatory $400 special assessment. The full list of the other four charged individuals besides Dr. Plasencia includes Kenneth Iwamasa, Sangha, and two others who are not named explicitly in the search results but are part of the five total charged in connection to Perry's death.
[1] Source: US Attorney's Office, Central District of California (https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/doctor-pleads-guilty-distribution-ketamine-connection-actor-matthew-perrys-death) [2] Source: CNN (https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/28/entertainment/matthew-perry-death-doctor-pleads-guilty/index.html) [3] Source: Los Angeles Times (https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2021-07-28/matthew-perry-death-doctor-pleads-guilty-to-distributing-ketamine)
Science and health-and-wellness intertwine in a criminal case, as Dr. Salvador Plasencia, a medical professional, pleaded guilty to distributing ketamine, a potent anesthetic, in a case linked to the tragic death of actor Matthew Perry. The general news of Plasencia's plea also implicates medical-conditions, as Perry's vulnerability due to addiction was a key factor in this crime-and-justice case.
