Dr. Salvador Plasencia, a 43-year-old former physician from Santa Monica, is set to be sentenced in Los Angeles federal court after pleading guilty to four counts of distributing ketamine, the anesthetic linked to actor Matthew Perry’s fatal overdose in October 2023. Perry, who gained fame as Chandler Bing on “Friends,” was found dead in his Pacific Palisades home on October 28, with the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner identifying ketamine as the primary cause of death.
In the lead-up to his passing, Perry was undergoing ketamine therapy for depression, a treatment that has become increasingly popular. Court documents reveal that Dr. Plasencia began supplying Perry with the drug approximately a month before his death, providing 20 vials totaling 100 milligrams, as well as lozenges and syringes, for a total value of $4,500. He admitted to involving another doctor, Mark Chavez, in the distribution process and acknowledged not being Perry’s treating physician at the time of his death.
The illegal distribution of ketamine without a valid medical purpose carries serious penalties, including a potential prison sentence of up to 40 years and a fine exceeding $2 million, as outlined in Dr. Plasencia’s plea agreement. His attorneys have expressed deep remorse for his actions, emphasizing his regret over the choices made while providing ketamine to Perry, a patient facing addiction challenges. Additionally, Dr. Plasencia plans to voluntarily surrender his medical license. This case has attracted significant media attention due to Perry’s well-known status and the circumstances of his death, making today’s sentencing a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal proceedings.
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