LOS ANGELES – Five people were charged in reference to Matthew Perry's death from a ketamine overdose last yr, including the actor's assistant and two doctors.
“These defendants exploited Mr. Perry's addiction problems to enrich themselves. They knew what they were doing was wrong,” U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said Thursday in announcing the fees.
The five were charged with supplying Perry with large amounts of ketamine, causing him to die of an overdose in October 2023.
Here's what we all know to this point in regards to the defendants after a comprehensive investigation into Perry's death.
Dr. Salvador Plasencia
Plasencia, a Santa Monica-area doctor, was arrested Thursday and charged with conspiracy to distribute ketamine, seven counts of distribution of ketamine and two counts of altering or falsifying documents or records in reference to the federal investigation.
At his first court appearance on Thursday, wearing civilian clothes and handcuffed and shackled, he pleaded not guilty. A judge ruled he may very well be released on $100,000 bail.
An indictment filed Wednesday alleges that Plasencia, who was commonly referred to as “Dr. P,” used encrypted messaging applications and coded language to debate drug deals, referring to ketamine bottles as “Dr. Pepper,” “cans” and “bots.” He is accused of facilitating the transfer of medication from himself and others who’ve been charged to Perry's personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa.
According to the indictment, Plasencia exchanged text messages with others involved within the drug trade that included, “I wonder how much this idiot is going to pay” and “Let's find out.”
After Plasencia's court appearance, his attorney Stefan Sacks said, “Ultimately, Dr. Plasencia operated with what he believed to be the best medical intentions,” and his actions “certainly did not rise to the level of criminal misconduct.”
“His only concern was to give the best medical treatment and do no harm,” Sacks said. “Unfortunately, harm was done. But that happened after he was involved.”
Plasencia, 42, graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a medical degree in 2010 and has not been disciplined, records show. His license expires in October.
Possible sentence: Up to 10 years in prison for every count related to ketamine and as much as 20 years for every count of falsifying records.
Jasveen Sangha
Sangha, 41, was arrested Thursday and charged with conspiracy to distribute ketamine, operating a drug-related premises, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of ketamine with intent to distribute and five counts of distribution of ketamine.
The indictment states that Sangha's distribution of ketamine on October 24, 2023, caused Perry's death a number of days later.
She pleaded not guilty on Thursday, but a judge said she should remain in custody. Her lawyer mocked the “media-friendly nickname” – Ketamine Queen – that prosecutors used for his or her client. Her lawyer declined to comment outside the courtroom.
Possible sentence: 10 years to life imprisonment.
Kenneth Iwamasa
Iwamasa worked as Perry's live-in personal assistant and sometimes communicated in coded language with the opposite defendants in reference to Perry's death to acquire ketamine, authorities said. He has admitted to giving Perry multiple ketamine injections, including on the day of his death.
He pleaded guilty to 1 count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine leading to death.
Iwamasa, 59, had no medical training or special knowledge of administering controlled substances, prosecutors say. He found Perry dead in his home.
Iwamasa's lawyers didn’t reply to requests for comment.
Possible sentence: 15 years in prison.
Mark Chavez
Chavez, a San Diego doctor, has pleaded guilty to 1 count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Chavez sold ketamine, which he had previously obtained by issuing a forged prescription, to Plasencia, who then sold it to Iwamasa.
Chavez, who previously ran a ketamine clinic, also obtained additional ketamine from a controlled substance wholesaler and falsified statements on forms stating that the drug wouldn’t be sold or distributed to 3rd parties or used for another purpose.
Chavez, 54, graduated from UCLA with a medical degree in 2004 and founded an organization called The Health MD, which appears to be a concierge practice focused on longevity and fitness. Like Plasencia, Chavez has never been disciplined, in response to his record. His license expires in 2026.
Several messages looking for comment from Chavez's company and his personal email address haven’t yet been responded to.
Possible sentence: 10 years in prison.
Eric Fleming
Fleming, 54, was a friend of Perry's and communicated with Iwamasa to sell him drugs for Perry's use. He pleaded guilty to 1 count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine leading to death.
According to prosecutors, Fleming obtained ketamine from Sangha and distributed it to Iwamasa. In total, he supplied 50 vials of ketamine to Perry, including 25 4 days before the actor's death.
Fleming's lawyers didn’t reply to requests for comment.
Possible sentence: 25 years in prison.
Originally published:
image credit : www.mercurynews.com