Doctor pleads guilty to illegally supplying ketamine to Matthew Perry

In the United States, specifically Los Angeles, Dr. Salvador Plasencia has pleaded guilty to charges related to the illegal distribution of ketamine, a drug linked to the death of actor Matthew Perry. The plea deal was reached in July 2025, where Plasencia agreed to change his former not-guilty plea in exchange for a reduction in charges. This agreement follows the overdose death of Perry on October 28, 2023, which linked several individuals to the case as they provided him with ketamine, despite existing mental health treatments. During the previous year, the legal proceedings involving Perry's associates were underway as prosecutors sought cooperation from several defendants who had been involved with the actor's drug use and distribution. Plasencia's admission of guilt marks him as the fourth individual in relation to Perry's case to reach plea agreements. He was accused of supplying significant quantities of the drug in the lead-up to Perry’s tragic death. Plea agreements were also made with Perry's personal assistant and friends, indicating a wider network involved in the abuse of prescription drugs. Plasencia's distribution of ketamine began approximately one month before Perry died, based on testimonies from co-defendants. He was implicated through both direct sales and aiding another doctor, Mark Chavez, in supplying the drug to Perry. Evidence presented in court included alarming text exchanges where Plasencia referred to Perry derogatorily, indicating a lack of regard for the actor's health status, which he saw as an opportunity for financial gain. Following his plea agreement, Plasencia's pending sentencing scheduled for December 3 has raised questions about accountability in medical practices, especially regarding off-label treatments of substances like ketamine. His attorneys have stated he was not treating Perry at the time of his death, adding further complexity to the situation. The consequences of his actions may lead to stricter regulations in the at-home ketamine treatment industry, which is experiencing a surge in popularity as a method for depression treatment. The remaining defendant linked to Perry is Jasveen Sangha, still facing trial and allegations associated with selling the lethal dose to Perry. Overall, this case has opened dialogues on the ethical considerations surrounding medical prescriptions in treatment. Legal actions around this case emphasize the implications of prescription drug abuse and the need for medical professionals to adhere to ethical standards. Vigilance in the medical industry concerning off-label substance distribution is becoming increasingly necessary to prevent preventable tragedies like Matthew Perry’s overdose.