A California doctor accused of giving Friends star Matthew Perry access to ketamine in the weeks before the actor's overdose death has agreed to plead guilty, according to federal prosecutors. Dr Salvador Plasencia will plead guilty to four counts of distributing ketamine, federal prosecutors said in a statement on Monday. The plea carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and the doctor is expected to make his plea in the coming weeks. Perry – best known for playing Chandler Bing on Friends – was found dead in his hot tub in Los Angeles in October 2023. He was 54 and although he'd been open about struggles with depression and addiction, fans around the world were shocked by his death. According to text messages shared with prosecutors from Dr Mark Chavez - a doctor who already pleaded guilty in the case - Dr Plasencia called Perry a "moron" and wondered how much he'd be willing to pay for the drugs. According to documents filed for the plea agreement, Dr Plasencia injected Perry with ketamine at his home and in the parking lot of the Long Beach Aquarium. Dr Plasencia taught Perry's assistant - who is also a defendant - how to administer the drug and would sell extra vials for them to keep at home, according to the plea deal. The doctor is one of five people charged with what prosecutors allege was an underground network of dealers and medical professionals who supplied Perry with ketamine. The actor was taking legal, prescribed amounts of the drug to treat his depression, but wanted more than what was prescribed. In total, the plea agreement says, between 30 September 2023, and 12 October 2023, Dr Plasencia sold twenty 5ml (100mg/ml) vials of ketamine, less than a full package of ketamine lozenges, and syringes to Perry and his assistant. Dr Plasencia's lawyers could not be immediately reached for comment.
California doctor to plead guilty to supplying Matthew Perry with ketamine
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"California Doctor to Plead Guilty in Connection with Matthew Perry's Ketamine Supply"
Bbc News
7.8
TruthLens AI Summary
Dr. Salvador Plasencia, a California physician, has agreed to plead guilty to four counts of distributing ketamine to the late actor Matthew Perry, according to federal prosecutors. This legal action comes in the wake of Perry's tragic death in October 2023, where he was found unresponsive in his hot tub at the age of 54. Perry, widely recognized for his role as Chandler Bing on the television series Friends, had openly discussed his battles with depression and addiction, which shocked fans and the public alike when he passed away. The plea deal that Dr. Plasencia is entering carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and is expected to be formalized in the coming weeks. The investigation has revealed that Plasencia and several other individuals were implicated in an underground network that supplied Perry with ketamine beyond his prescribed dosage meant for treating his mental health issues.
The allegations against Dr. Plasencia include not only the distribution of ketamine but also direct administration of the drug to Perry in various locations, including his home and a parking lot near the Long Beach Aquarium. Text messages between Dr. Plasencia and another doctor involved in the case indicate a troubling dynamic, with Plasencia reportedly referring to Perry in derogatory terms and discussing the financial aspects of drug distribution. The plea agreement details that between September 30 and October 12, 2023, Plasencia sold a significant quantity of ketamine to Perry and his assistant, including twenty vials and syringes. This case underscores the complex intersections of celebrity culture, mental health treatment, and substance abuse, highlighting the risks involved when medical professionals exploit their positions to facilitate drug misuse. As this case progresses, it will continue to draw attention to the broader issues surrounding addiction and the responsibilities of healthcare providers.
TruthLens AI Analysis
You need to be a member to generate the AI analysis for this article.
Log In to Generate AnalysisNot a member yet? Register for free.