Doctor Charged in Matthew Perry's Death Agrees to Plead Guilty to Distributing Fatal Ketamine Dose

One of the doctors charged in connection with Matthew Perry’s death has agreed to plead guilty to distributing ketamine to the actor.

According to a plea agreement filed on Monday, June 16, in Los Angeles, and seen by PEOPLE, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, a licensed physician known as Dr. P., will plead guilty to four counts of distribution of ketamine.

The plea carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. Plasencia — one of five people facing criminal charges in Perry’s death — is expected to enter the plea in the coming weeks.

Prior to the plea agreement, the doctor faced several more charges, including seven total counts of distribution of ketamine and two counts of altering and falsifying documents or records related to the federal investigation into Perry’s death.

Plasencia was one of five people charged last year stemming from the investigation into Perry’s October death. He faces up to 40 years in prison for the four counts of distribution of ketamine.

The beloved Friends actor died after an accidental drug overdose on Oct. 28, 2023. An autopsy later showed Perry died from acute effects of ketamine, in addition to other contributing factors such as drowning, coronary artery disease and effects from buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder.

Over six months after his death, the Los Angeles Police Department was conducting a formal investigation into how the actor obtained the ketamine after the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner closed their investigation in December 2023.

In August 2024, Plasencia and four other people were arrested on charges in connection with the actor’s death.

Jasveen Sangha — who U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada claimed is referred to as “The Ketamine Queen” — is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute ketamine and five counts of distribution of ketamine, the Department of Justice announced at the time.

Sangha is scheduled to go to trial in August, according to the Associated Press. She has pleaded not guilty, making her the only person charged in Perry’s death who has not entered a plea agreement.

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The other defendants all pleaded guilty in August 2024. Dr. Mark Chavez pleaded to one count of conspiring to distribute ketamine. Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry’s live-in personal assistant, pleaded one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death in August. Alleged drug dealer Erik Fleming pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death.

Federal prosecutors have alleged that the five defendants “took advantage” of Perry for their own “profit.”

According to the Justice Department, Plasencia allegedly contacted Chavez, who was also a doctor and previously operated a ketamine clinic, to obtain the substance to sell to Perry. In text messages to Chavez, Plasencia allegedly discussed how much to charge Perry for the ketamine, stating, “I wonder how much this moron will pay” and “Lets [sic] find out,” the DoJ claimed.

The attorney also alleged that the defendants were aware of what the negative impacts on Perry’s health could be because of their choices. Estrada claimed the prosecution had found text messages in which Sangha wrote, “I wouldn’t do it if there wasn’t a chance of me making some money for doing this.”

Following Perry’s death, the defendants tried to “cover up” their involvement, Estrada claimed, adding that Sangha allegedly wrote in a text message to another defendant, “Delete all our messages.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.