Dr. Salvador Plasencia, linked to the overdose death of "Friends" star Matthew Perry, has agreed to plead guilty to multiple charges of distributing the controlled substance ketamine, according to federal prosecutors.
California Doctor to Admit Guilt in Connection with Matthew Perry's Overdose
California Doctor to Admit Guilt in Connection with Matthew Perry's Overdose
A California physician faces serious charges for allegedly providing the late actor with the drug ketamine prior to his tragic passing.
Dr. Salvador Plasencia, a California doctor, is set to plead guilty to four counts of distributing ketamine amidst an ongoing investigation surrounding the death of actor Matthew Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the TV series "Friends." Federal authorities disclosed these proceedings on Monday, revealing that the plea could lead to a maximum 40-year prison sentence.
Perry tragically passed away in October 2023, found unresponsive in his hot tub at the age of 54. His struggles with mental health and addiction were well-documented, leaving his fans devastated by the news of his death. Prosecutor statements indicate that Dr. Plasencia was part of a larger network of medical professionals and dealers accused of supplying Perry with the drug, as he sought more than the FDA-approved dosage prescribed to him for depression.
In court documents regarding his plea deal, alarming text messages surfaced revealing Dr. Plasencia's derogatory remarks about Perry, where he reportedly referred to him as a "moron" while questioning what he would pay for additional doses of ketamine. The deal indicated that Plasencia not only administered the drug to Perry in various locations, including his home and a parking lot adjacent to the Long Beach Aquarium, but also instructed Perry's assistant—a co-defendant in the case—on how to administer ketamine themselves.
Between September 30 and October 12, 2023, Dr. Plasencia allegedly sold Perry and his assistant a total of twenty vials of ketamine, in addition to syringes necessary for administering the substance at home. Dr. Plasencia's legal representation has not commented publicly regarding the case, which is part of a broader investigation involving several individuals linked to Perry's drug use prior to his death.
