News Summary
Dr. Salvador Plasencia has pleaded guilty to four counts of ketamine distribution connected to the overdose death of actor Matthew Perry. He admitted to administering and selling ketamine to Perry, exploiting the actor’s struggles with addiction. Plasencia faces a potential 40-year prison sentence, with details revealing financial exploitation and a disregard for Perry’s health. With other associates in the case reaching plea deals, the focus now shifts to the responsibilities of medical professionals in addiction treatment.
Los Angeles, CA – Dr. Salvador Plasencia, a 43-year-old practitioner, pleaded guilty in federal court on Wednesday to four counts of distribution of ketamine, which are linked to the overdose death of actor Matthew Perry in October 2023. The charges he faces carry a maximum sentence of 40 years in federal prison, with sentencing set for December 3.
In court, Plasencia admitted to personally administering liquid ketamine to Perry at various locations, including a parked car outside the Long Beach Aquarium. He also confessed to selling Perry vials of ketamine intended for home use, without a legitimate medical purpose. Although the specific batch of ketamine found in Perry’s system at the time of his death was not traced back to Plasencia, prosecutors characterized his actions as reminiscent of a street-level drug dealer who exploited Perry’s addiction.
Perry was discovered deceased in his hot tub on October 28, 2023, with an autopsy confirming ketamine as the cause of death. The actor had been increasingly dependent on at-home ketamine treatments as part of his struggles with mental health, a fact that Plasencia and another doctor, Mark Chavez, took advantage of. Together, they reportedly supplied Perry with approximately 20 vials of ketamine, valued at around $55,000.
Details emerging from the case include Plasencia’s previous declaration of not guilty, which changed when he accepted a plea deal last month. This agreement involved dropping three additional counts of ketamine distribution along with two counts of falsifying records.
Furthermore, text messages from Plasencia revealed a derogatory attitude toward Perry, showing a clear indication of exploiting the actor financially. Despite observing concerning physical reactions in Perry after administering ketamine, Plasencia left more vials for Perry’s assistant to administer.
After pleading guilty, Plasencia was granted the ability to remain free on bond until his sentencing, as he serves as the primary caretaker for his two-year-old son. He also plans to voluntarily surrender his medical license as part of his acceptance of responsibility for his actions.
This case has garnered significant attention, particularly as it unravels the circumstances surrounding Perry’s tragic death. Other defendants associated with the case, including Perry’s assistant and another doctor, have already reached plea deals, underscoring the breadth of involvement in the distribution of ketamine to the late actor. Meanwhile, Jasveen Sangha, referred to as the “Ketamine Queen” in North Hollywood, remains the primary accused in supplying the lethal dose that led to Perry’s demise and is still awaiting trial.
As the case continues to unfold, it raises critical discussions regarding the intersection of substance abuse, the responsibilities of medical professionals, and the broader implications for addiction treatment practices.
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HERE Resources
California Doctor Pleads Guilty in Ketamine Case Linked to Actor’s Death
Doctor Pleads Guilty in Connection with Actor’s Death
Doctor Pleads Guilty in Actor’s Fatal Overdose Case
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 MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee 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 Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
