News Summary
Dr. Salvador Plasencia has pleaded guilty to drug distribution charges connected to the death of actor Matthew Perry, who died from a ketamine overdose. The doctor’s actions included administering ketamine to Perry and providing vials without legitimate medical purpose. Prosecutors characterized his behavior as akin to that of a street-level drug dealer. Following a plea deal, Plasencia, facing up to 40 years in prison, has expressed remorse and plans to surrender his medical license. The ongoing investigation raises concerns about medical oversight in addiction treatment.
Los Angeles – Dr. Salvador Plasencia, a 43-year-old medical practitioner, pleaded guilty in federal court on Wednesday to multiple counts of drug distribution related to the death of actor Matthew Perry, who died from a ketamine overdose in October 2023. Plasencia’s guilty plea to four counts of distribution of ketamine may result in a maximum sentence of 40 years in federal prison, with sentencing scheduled for December 3, 2023.
Plasencia was arrested in August 2023, alongside Jasveen Sangha, a figure known in North Hollywood for her connections to illicit ketamine distribution. During court proceedings, Plasencia admitted to having personally administered ketamine to Perry in various locations, including a parked car outside the Long Beach Aquarium. Additionally, it was revealed that he sold Perry vials of ketamine for home use without any legitimate medical purpose. According to prosecutors, the batch of ketamine found in Perry’s system at the time of his death was not supplied by Plasencia.
Perry’s lifeless body was discovered in a hot tub on October 28, 2023, with an autopsy confirming ketamine as the cause of death. Prosecutors characterized Plasencia’s behavior as comparable to that of a street-level drug dealer, given his awareness of Perry’s struggles with addiction. While initially pleading not guilty, Plasencia accepted a plea deal last month that included dropping three additional counts of ketamine distribution alongside two counts of falsifying medical records.
Legal representation for Plasencia indicated that he expresses remorse for his actions and intends to voluntarily surrender his medical license. His involvement with Perry was linked to the actor’s increasing reliance on ketamine treatments stemming from mental health challenges. Prosecutors estimated that Plasencia and another doctor, Mark Chavez, provided approximately 20 vials of ketamine to Perry, amounting to about $55,000.
In addition to administering the drug, Plasencia left additional vials for Perry’s assistant to manage, despite witnessing troubling physical reactions from the actor following injections. Text message exchanges suggested Plasencia held an exploitive view of Perry, referring to him in derogatory terms while discussing financial opportunities associated with his treatment.
Following the plea, Plasencia has been permitted to remain free on bail as he is the primary caretaker of his two-year-old son. Other parties involved in the case, including Perry’s assistant and another physician, have already reached deals regarding their charges. Meanwhile, Sangha, who has been identified as the primary suspect in supplying the fatal dose of ketamine, is still awaiting trial.
The ongoing repercussions of Perry’s tragic death have sparked discussions surrounding the medical community’s role in safely providing treatment, especially for individuals with a history of addiction. The case has not only highlighted concerns surrounding prescribed substances like ketamine but has also raised awareness about the need for better oversight and accountability in the medical field.
The investigation into Perry’s death continues as authorities gather more information on the network of suppliers involved, aiming to prevent future tragedies linked to substance abuse and improper medical practices.
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Medical Professional Pleads Guilty in Actor’s Overdose Case
Doctor Pleads Guilty in Ketamine Distribution Case Linked to Actor’s Death
Doctor Pleads Guilty in Ketamine Distribution Case Linked to Actor’s Death
Additional Resources
- ABC7 News
- Wikipedia: Ketamine
- ABC News
- Google Search: Matthew Perry ketamine death
- Los Angeles Times
- Google Scholar: Ketamine addiction
- Reuters
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Matthew Perry
- CBS News
- Google News: Matthew Perry doctor pleads guilty
Author: STAFF HERE BALTIMORE WRITER
BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER The BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBaltimore.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Baltimore, Baltimore County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Baltimore Book Festival, Preakness Stakes, and Artscape. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce and Visit Baltimore, plus leading businesses in shipping and healthcare that power the local economy such as the Port of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Medicine. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Maryland's dynamic landscape.
