Mark Chavez, one of two California doctors charged in connection with the overdose death of Friends star Matthew Perry, pleaded guilty to illegally distributing the drug ketamine. During a hearing in US District Court in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Chavez, based in San Diego, accepted the plea, which could lead to a sentence of up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced in April.
Dr. Salvador Plasencia, another physician involved in the case, has pleaded not guilty. Co-defendant Jasveen Sangha, identified as an illicit supplier of the drug and dubbed the “ketamine queen,” has also maintained her innocence. Both Plasencia and Sangha are scheduled to go on trial in March.
Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry’s live-in personal assistant, admitted to injecting Perry with ketamine and has already pleaded guilty to related charges, along with another alleged middleman.
In court on Wednesday, the 54-year-old Chavez acknowledged that he had obtained ketamine using a fraudulent prescription meant for another patient, admitting he knew the drug was intended for Perry. He also confessed to supplying ketamine to Plasencia, emphasizing that the drug should only be administered under medical supervision with appropriate safety measures in place.
Court documents revealed that Plasencia had administered ketamine to Perry at the actor’s residence and provided vials that Iwamasa injected. Plasencia’s attorney contends that he prescribed and administered ketamine to Perry in a proper manner.
Perry, who died at the age of 54 in October 2023 from the “acute effects” of ketamine and other factors that led to him losing consciousness and drowning in his hot tub, had a well-documented history of substance abuse. The autopsy report released in December 2023 confirmed these findings.
For years, Perry had been using ketamine through his regular doctor as part of a legal but off-label treatment for depression. However, he sought more of the drug than his physician would provide. About a month prior to his death, Perry allegedly turned to Plasencia, who subsequently asked Chavez to supply the drug.
Chavez entered his guilty plea as part of an agreement with prosecutors, who offered him reduced charges in exchange for his cooperation against Plasencia and Sangha. “He has accepted responsibility. He is cooperating,” stated Chavez’s attorney, Matt Binninger, in court. Following his plea, Chavez relinquished his medical license and remains free on bond until his sentencing.
