Matthew Perry's doctor pleads guilty to ketamine distribution
Matthew Perry's doctor pleads guilty to ketamine distribution
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LA police probe Matthew Perry's death
Los Angeles police said Tuesday that detectives and federal agents are investigating the death of 'Friends' star Matthey Perry.
Dr. Salvador Plasencia, a physician charged along with four others in the death of actor Matthew Perry, has pleaded guilty to his role in the substance abuse that contributed to the "Friends" star's tragic passing.
Plasencia, also known as "Dr. P," pled guilty to four counts of distribution of ketamine, according to a copy of the plea agreement obtained by USA TODAY. The physician faces up to 40 years in prison for the offenses.
In August 2024, Plasencia was charged alongside Jasveen Sangha, whom the Department of Justice previously referred to as "The Ketamine Queen" of North Hollywood, and the pair faced 18 criminal counts for allegedly "distributing ketamine to Perry during the final weeks of the actor's life."
5 people charged in Matthew Perry death, including 'Friends' actor's doctor, assistant
Other co-conspirators named in the case were Perry's live-in assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, Dr. Mark Chavez and Erik Fleming, the latter of whom was described as Perry's acquaintance.
Perry, best known for his role as the wisecracking Chandler Bing on "Friends," died in October 2023 at the age of 54 after the actor was found dead in a jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home.
Remembering Matthew Perry: Why the iconic actor was 'Friends' with all of us
An autopsy report released in December of that year revealed that Perry's death was an accident, with the cause being "the acute effects of ketamine." Contributing factors were drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine.
This is a developing story.
Contributing: KiMi Robinson, Taijuan Moorman and Jay Stahl, USA TODAY
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