Main doctor charged in Friends actor Matthew Perry's drug death to plead guilty
A doctor charged with giving actor Matthew Perry ketamine in the months leading up to the Friends star's overdose death has agreed to plead guilty, authorities said on Monday.
Dr Salvador Plascencia has agreed to plead guilty to four counts of distribution of ketamine, federal prosecutors said in a statement. They said the plea carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
Plascencia is expected to enter a guilty plea in the coming weeks, the US Justice Department said.
Plascencia and a woman accused of being a ketamine dealer had been the primary targets of the prosecution, after three other defendants, including Dr Mark Chavez, agreed to plead guilty in exchange for their cooperation.
Plascencia had been scheduled to start trial in August.
Canadian-American actor Perry was found dead in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home on October 28, 2023 at age 54.
Perry's lengthy struggles with substance addiction were well documented, but his death sent shock waves through the global legions of Friends fans.
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