Doctor Faces Sentencing for Distributing Ketamine to Matthew Perry

A doctor who pleaded guilty to illegally selling ketamine to the late actor Matthew Perry is scheduled to be sentenced on March 15, 2024. Dr. Salvador Plasencia will be the first of five defendants to face a federal court in Los Angeles following the actor’s tragic overdose death. Perry’s family, including his mother, Suzanne Perry, and stepfather, journalist Keith Morrison, are expected to address the court before the sentencing.

Plasencia, 44, faces a recommendation from prosecutors of three years in prison. This follows a plea agreement in which he admitted to providing Perry with large quantities of ketamine, despite knowing the actor had a history of addiction. According to court filings, he referred to Perry as a “moron” who could be exploited for financial gain. The prosecution’s memo stated, “Rather than do what was best for Mr. Perry — someone who had struggled with addiction for most of his life — defendant sought to exploit Perry’s medical vulnerability for profit.”

Perry had been prescribed ketamine legally as part of his treatment for depression but sought additional doses from Plasencia when his regular doctor would not comply with his requests. Investigators have clarified that Plasencia was not responsible for providing the dosage that led to Perry’s death on October 28, 2023.

In an effort to portray Plasencia in a more sympathetic light, his lawyers emphasized his rise from poverty to becoming a respected physician. They described his actions as “reckless” and characterized the decision to sell ketamine to Perry as “the biggest mistake of his life.” In their statement, they expressed that “remorse cannot begin to capture the pain, regret, and shame that Mr. Plasencia feels for the tragedy that unfolded and that he failed to prevent.”

Despite these claims, the defense argues that a prison sentence is not warranted, citing the loss of Plasencia’s medical license, clinic, and career. They also mentioned the intense media scrutiny and threats against him and his family, which prompted them to relocate to Arizona for safety reasons. In a video submitted to the judge, Plasencia expressed a desire to be a role model for his young son, stating, “I want him to be proud of his father. I made mistakes, but I want him to know that I tried to make better choices after my mistakes.”

In July, Plasencia pleaded guilty to four counts of distributing ketamine. As part of the plea deal, prosecutors agreed to drop five additional charges, though the agreement did not guarantee a specific sentence. U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett has the discretion to impose a sentence of up to 40 years.

Perry’s family has been present at prior court hearings and is likely to be among those who will address the court before Plasencia’s sentencing. The remaining four defendants involved in the case have also reached plea agreements and are scheduled for sentencing in the coming months.

Perry’s struggle with addiction spanned many years, beginning during his time on the iconic television series “Friends.” He gained fame as Chandler Bing alongside co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer from 1994 to 2004. His passing has raised discussions about addiction and mental health, emphasizing the importance of proper medical care and ethical practices within the healthcare system.