Doctor sentenced to 30 months in prison for selling ketamine to Matthew Perry before his death

A physician who unlawfully provided ketamine to Matthew Perry in the weeks before the actors fatal overdose in 2023 has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison. Alongside the prison term, the sentence includes two years of supervised release, a $5,600 fine, and a $400 special assessment.

The ruling, issued Wednesday in Los Angeles by U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett, also required the immediate transfer of Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 44, into federal custody. Known professionally as Dr. P, Plasencia pleaded guilty in June to four counts of ketamine distribution and surrendered his medical license in September. He had faced a potential maximum sentence of 40 years.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California stated that Plasencia repeatedly sold ketamine to Perry despite being aware of the actors history of substance abuse and that Perrys personal assistant was administering the drug without proper medical oversight. Authorities confirmed that while Plasencia supplied ketamine before Perrys death, he did not provide the fatal dose.

Plasencias legal team, Karen L. Goldstein and Debra S. White, released a statement expressing their clients remorse: He accepts the Courts sentence with humility and deep regret. Dr. Plasencia was a compassionate and dedicated physician whose clinic served a community in need. He was respected by his patients and is not a villain. He made serious errors in off-label ketamine use, which will weigh heavily on him forever.

Plasencia is the first of five people who have pleaded guilty in connection with Perrys death to receive a sentence. Others awaiting sentencing include Dr. Mark Chavez, Perrys assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, alleged intermediary Erik Fleming, and Jasveen Sangha, referred to as the "Ketamine Queen," who supplied the drugs involved in the actors overdose.

Author's Analysis: Sentencing Highlights Accountability in High-Profile Ketamine Case

The sentencing of Dr. Salvador Plasencia to 30 months in federal prison marks a significant development in the investigation into Matthew Perry's 2023 fatal overdose. While Plasencia did not provide the fatal dose, his repeated unlawful distribution of ketamine to Perry underscores the risks of off-label drug use without proper medical oversight.

The case also illustrates the legal system's focus on accountability. Plasencia faced up to 40 years but received a reduced sentence, reflecting both his guilty plea and expressions of remorse. The sentence includes supervised release, fines, and immediate transfer to federal custody, demonstrating the seriousness of the offense.

With four other individuals involved still awaiting sentencing, this ruling sets a precedent for how authorities will handle medical professionals and intermediaries in cases of substance-related celebrity deaths. It emphasizes the intersection of medical responsibility, legal limits, and public scrutiny in high-profile overdose cases.

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• Doctor who sold Matthew Perry ketamine in weeks leading up to his death gets 30 months in prison