Doctor Sentenced to 2.5 Years for Supplying Ketamine to Matthew Perry

A federal judge in Los Angeles has imposed a 2.5-year prison sentence on Dr. Salvador Plasencia for illegally distributing ketamine to Matthew Perry in the weeks leading up to the actor’s death. Plasencia, a 44-year-old physician, pleaded guilty in July to four felony counts of distribution under the Controlled Substances Act. Prosecutors highlighted text messages where Plasencia referred to Perry as a “moron” and discussed exploiting his addiction for profit.

Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett delivered the sentence during a hearing on Wednesday, ordering Plasencia to serve two years of probation following his release. The judge emphasized Plasencia’s role in Perry’s downward spiral, stating, “You and others helped Mr. Perry on the road to such an ending by continuing to feed his ketamine addiction.” Evidence presented included over 20 vials of ketamine shipped to Perry’s home, along with Plasencia’s communications boasting about the financial gains from the arrangement.

Perry, best known for portraying Chandler Bing across 10 seasons of ‘Friends’ from 1994 to 2004, died on October 28, 2023, at age 54 from the acute effects of ketamine. The Los Angeles County coroner’s report classified the death as accidental, noting Perry’s long history of substance abuse that dated back to his early career. While Plasencia did not provide the fatal dose, federal authorities charged him with contributing to Perry’s dependency through unauthorized infusions and compounded doses.

Perry’s family members delivered emotional impact statements during the sentencing. His father, John Perry, and stepmother, Debby Perry, described the actor as “a warm, loving man who was to be our rock as we aged… Our next patriarch.” Perry’s mother, Suzanne Morrison, addressed the court through her daughter, Madeleine Morrison, who read, “The world mourns my brother. He was everyone’s favourite friend.” The statements underscored Perry’s private battles despite his public persona as a comedic icon.

Plasencia’s defense team had requested a minimal sentence of one day in custody followed by probation, arguing his cooperation with investigators. Prosecutors sought three years, citing the severity of Perry’s addiction and Plasencia’s professional breach. The doctor was taken into custody immediately after the hearing, marking him as the first of five defendants sentenced in the case. The remaining individuals, including two other physicians and two assistants, face trials or pleas in the coming months.

The case stems from a broader federal investigation into Perry’s death, which revealed a network of enablers supplying high doses of ketamine outside medical protocols. Perry had been receiving treatments for depression and anxiety, but the infusions escalated into daily use. Authorities recovered 80 vials of ketamine from Plasencia’s clinic, valued at over $50,000, much of it intended for Perry.

Perry’s tenure on ‘Friends’ earned him an Emmy nomination in 2002 and cemented his status in ensemble comedy. He reprised the role in the 2021 HBO Max reunion special and starred in projects like ‘The Odd Couple’ revival in 2015 and ‘Mr. Sunshine’ in 2018. His memoir, ‘Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,’ released in 2022, detailed his struggles with addiction, including prior rehab stints totaling 15 months.

This sentencing arrives amid ongoing Hollywood reckonings with celebrity substance abuse, following high-profile cases involving opioids and other controlled substances. Federal guidelines for ketamine distribution carry penalties up to 20 years, but Plasencia’s plea reduced his exposure. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California described the ruling as a step toward accountability in protecting vulnerable individuals from predatory medical practices.