A physician who admitted to selling ketamine to Matthew Perry before the actor’s fatal overdose has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison, followed by two years of probation. Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 44, received the sentence from Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett in a federal court in Los Angeles. While acknowledging that Plasencia did not directly supply the ketamine that led to Perry’s death, the judge pointed out that his actions contributed to Perry’s addiction and ultimately tragic outcome.
Plasencia, who was the first of five defendants to be sentenced in connection to Perry’s passing at the age of 54 in 2023, pleaded guilty to four counts of distributing ketamine in July. The doctor confessed to exploiting Perry’s addiction for personal gain, referring to Perry as a “moron” who could be manipulated for financial benefit. The prosecution had requested a three-year prison term, while the defense sought minimal incarceration plus probation.
During the sentencing, emotional victim impact statements were delivered by Perry’s mother, Suzanne Perry, and sister, Madeline Morrison. They both highlighted the profound impact of Perry’s death on their lives and expressed their devastation over the loss of their loved one. Plasencia, visibly distraught, also addressed the court, expressing deep regret for his involvement in Perry’s tragic demise and apologizing to the Perry family for his actions.
Perry, known for his role as Chandler Bing in the hit TV show Friends, struggled with addiction for years, with ketamine being used legally as a treatment for his depression. Plasencia, despite being aware of Perry’s addiction struggles, illicitly supplied him with ketamine when his regular doctor declined to provide the requested amounts. Plasencia’s defense portrayed him as a compassionate doctor who had made a grave error in judgment, emphasizing his remorse and the pain he felt for failing to prevent the tragedy.
The other four defendants who have pleaded guilty in connection to Perry’s death will face sentencing in the upcoming months. Perry’s untimely passing in 2023 left a void in the entertainment industry, with his family and fans mourning the loss of the beloved actor and recognizing the devastating impact of substance abuse.