Matthew Perry death: Doctor pleads guilty to distributing ketamine

One of the two doctors charged in connection with the overdose death of Friends actor Matthew Perry has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine.

Mark Chavez, 54, made his plea in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Wednesday. The San Diego-based doctor admitted to illegally distributing ketamine, a surgical anesthetic, for personal financial gain.

After the hearing, Chavez’s lawyer, Matthew Binninger, said his client is taking the investigation "incredibly seriously" and has "accepted responsibility." He added, "He admitted a lot of facts on the record. He’s cooperating with the government."

Perry, known for his role as Chandler Bing on Friends, passed away on October 28, 2023, due to the acute effects of ketamine. He was found unresponsive in a jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home. He was 54 years old.

Chavez, who could face up to 10 years in prison, has already surrendered his medical license. He initially pleaded not guilty in August but later reached a plea agreement with prosecutors. In exchange for reduced charges, Chavez agreed to cooperate with authorities investigating another doctor and an alleged dealer, known as the "Ketamine Queen" of Los Angeles, linked to Perry’s death.

Salvador Plasencia is charged with illegally supplying ketamine to Perry, while alleged dealer Jasveen Sangha is accused of selling the fatal dose. Both have pleaded not guilty. Sangha faces nine charges, including conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine resulting in death.

Chavez is the third person to plead guilty in connection with Perry’s death and has been released on bond. His lawyer previously stated that Chavez is "incredibly remorseful" and is "trying to do everything in his power to right the wrong that happened here."

Chavez once operated a ketamine clinic, where he obtained the drug from a distributor using a fraudulent prescription. He admitted to selling the ketamine to Plasencia, who allegedly passed it to Perry’s assistant. Prosecutors said both Chavez and Plasencia knew about Perry’s struggles with addiction.

Court filings revealed that the doctors conspired to sell ketamine to Perry for profit, including text messages between Chavez and Plasencia discussing pricing. In one message, Plasencia reportedly wrote to Chavez, "I wonder how much this moron will pay. Let's find out."

Chavez’s sentencing is set for April 2, 2025. He is one of five people charged in connection with Perry’s overdose. Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, admitted to obtaining and administering ketamine to Perry on the day of his death, while another acquaintance, Eric Fleming, admitted to providing ketamine as a middleman for Sangha. Both Iwamasa and Fleming have pleaded guilty and are cooperating with prosecutors.

Before his death, Perry had been receiving legal ketamine therapy for depression but sought additional doses for personal use. Officials reported that Perry had 3.54 micrograms per milliliter of ketamine in his bloodstream at the time of his death, nearly triple the typical prescribed amount.

What is Ketamine?

Ketamine, which can be lethal in high doses, has gained popularity as a treatment for anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Low-dose ketamine infusions have been shown to help regrow synapses in the brain. However, when abused, ketamine can cause severe physical and mental effects, including hallucinations, stroke, and heart attack. In Canada, it is classified as a controlled substance under Schedule I of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.