A physician who exploited Matthew Perry's addiction struggles was sentenced to more than two years in federal prison for his role in providing the actor with ketamine before his fatal overdose in October 2023.

According to the New York Post, Los Angeles federal court Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett sentenced Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 43, to two and a half years for supplying Perry with ketamine in the month leading up to his death on Oct. 28, 2023.

The disgraced doctor, who surrendered his medical license following the charges, pleaded guilty in July to four counts of ketamine distribution as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors. Plasencia is the first of five defendants to be sentenced in connection with Perry's death. The other defendants, including drug dealer Jasveen Sangha, known as the "Ketamine Queen," have also entered plea deals and await sentencing.

Family Condemns Doctor's Exploitation

Perry's family members submitted emotional statements to the court describing the devastating impact of Plasencia's actions. Prosecutors presented a statement from Perry's mother, Suzanne, and stepfather, Keith Morrison, describing Plasencia as "among the most culpable of all" in the actor's death.

The family statement condemned the doctor for breaking his medical oath to exploit their son's vulnerability for financial gain. Their words highlighted Plasencia's callous attitude, referencing his text message to a co-conspirator asking, "I wonder how much this moron will pay?" in reference to Perry seeking ketamine.

Perry's biological father, John Perry, and stepmother, Debbie, also submitted a statement requesting harsh punishment. They wrote that Plasencia didn't deserve to hear their feelings about how he devastated their family by contributing to the loss of their only son.

Criminal Conduct Despite Warning Signs

Prosecutors detailed how Plasencia witnessed alarming physical reactions when he administered ketamine to Perry yet continued supplying the drug. The actor experienced freezing and elevated blood pressure during one injection, but the doctor still left additional doses for Perry's assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, to administer despite his lack of medical training.

Court documents revealed that Plasencia first learned Perry was seeking ketamine on Sept. 30, 2023, and immediately sought to profit from the situation. Rather than addressing Perry's well-documented addiction issues or refusing to provide the drug, Plasencia exploited the actor's medical vulnerability for financial gain.

The doctor, who had no experience with ketamine therapy, coordinated with another physician, Dr. Mark Chavez, to become Perry's "go-to" suppliers. Plasencia ultimately provided Perry with 20 vials of ketamine totaling 100 mg, along with lozenges and syringes, collecting $4,500 from the actor.

Defense Arguments and Consequences

Plasencia's attorney, Karen Goldstein, requested a sentence of time served, arguing her client had already suffered severe consequences. The lawyer claimed Plasencia acknowledged he shouldn't have provided the drugs and turned a blind eye to clear signs of addiction and relapse.

Goldstein's court filing stated that Plasencia lost his medical practice, license, and reputation, while his family received death threats following the charges. The situation became so dangerous that Plasencia's wife and son relocated to Arizona for safety concerns.

The defense argued that, given the punishment already experienced, including professional and personal devastation, imprisonment was neither necessary nor warranted. However, prosecutors had requested a three-year sentence, noting that while Plasencia faced up to 40 years under maximum penalties, federal sentencing guidelines recommended a shorter term.

Lessons to Learn

1. Verify medical qualifications. Always ensure your care provider is properly trained and licensed to administer treatments such as ketamine. While it is used off-label for mental health, it must be carefully managed by an experienced doctor.

2. Recognize and address addiction risks early. Ketamine and other powerful drugs can be deadly when misused. It is critical for individuals and families to monitor for signs of dependency and to seek professional help if someone is spiraling.

3. Don’t overlook red flags with providers. Language, behavior, and shady practices from medical professionals should never be ignored. As this case shows, not all doctors prioritize patient well-being — and no one should ever be blamed for falling victim to deceptive practitioners.

Why This Story Matters

This case is a stark reminder of how vulnerable individuals battling addiction can be preyed upon — even by those sworn to help them. It underscores the need for greater oversight and accountability within alternative treatment practices like ketamine therapy. Most importantly, it highlights the devastating toll that exploitative medical care can take on families, communities, and public trust.

Dr. Salvador Plasencia has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for illegally supplying ketamine in the weeks before Matthew Perry’s overdose in October 2023. Facing devastating consequences, including the loss of his license and public trust, he is the first of five individuals charged in the death of the “Friends” actor. Although the fatal dose came from another source, prosecutors made clear that Plasencia's illegal conduct and disregard for Perry’s well-being played a major role in the tragedy. More sentencing decisions, including that of “Ketamine Queen” Jasveen Sangha, are expected in the coming weeks as the case continues to unfold.