A medical professional 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 by Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett in Los Angeles. Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 44, received the prison term along with two years of probation.
While delivering the sentence, Judge Garnett noted that although Plasencia did not directly provide the ketamine that led to Perry’s death, he contributed to the actor’s addiction by supplying him with the drug. She criticized Plasencia for exploiting Perry’s struggles for personal gain, stating, “You and others facilitated Mr. Perry’s downward spiral by enabling his ketamine dependency.”
Following the sentencing, Plasencia was taken into custody as his mother openly wept in the courtroom. Perry’s family, including his mother and two half-sisters, emotionally addressed the court before the judgment was pronounced.
Plasencia was the first of five defendants involved in Perry’s demise to be sentenced. He had pleaded guilty to four counts of distributing ketamine in July, with prosecutors dropping five other charges. The plea agreement did not guarantee a specific sentence, and the judge had the discretion to impose a maximum of 40 years in prison.
In court filings, it was revealed that Plasencia knowingly exploited Perry’s addiction for financial gain, referring to the actor as a “moron” who could be manipulated for profit. Prosecutors recommended a three-year prison term, while the defense sought only one day in jail along with probation.
Plasencia expressed remorse during the sentencing, tearfully acknowledging his failure to protect Perry and his regret over his actions. He also directly apologized to Perry’s family for his role in the tragedy.
Perry, who succumbed to the acute effects of ketamine at the age of 54 in 2023, had been using the anesthetic legally to manage depression. Plasencia, aware of Perry’s struggles with addiction, illegally supplied him with the drug after his regular doctor refused to prescribe higher doses.
Plasencia’s attorneys portrayed him as a compassionate doctor who had risen from poverty to become a respected medical professional. They characterized his involvement in Perry’s case as a “reckless” and “life-altering” mistake, emphasizing his deep feelings of sorrow and shame for the outcome.
Matthew Perry, renowned for his role as Chandler Bing on the iconic television show Friends, battled addiction for years, starting during his time on the series alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer. His death at 54 prompted a wave of mourning from fans worldwide.
