Matthew Perry’s Ketamine Doc Gets 30-Months in Prison

The Los Angeles doctor who illegally supplied ketamine to actor Matthew Perry in the weeks leading up to the “Friends” star’s death has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison, marking a major development in a case that has raised serious questions about medical ethics, addiction, and accountability.

Dr. Salvador Plasencia pleaded guilty earlier this year to multiple counts of illegal distribution of ketamine. Federal prosecutors said Plasencia provided the powerful anesthetic to Perry despite knowing the actor’s long history of substance abuse and despite clear warnings that the drug was being used outside appropriate medical supervision.

Matthew Perry died on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54. He was found unresponsive in a jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner later ruled the cause of death as the acute effects of ketamine, with drowning listed as a contributing factor.

A Trusted Doctor, a Dangerous Supply

Court records show that Plasencia supplied Perry with multiple vials of ketamine over several weeks and, in some instances, personally administered the drug. Prosecutors said he also instructed others on how to inject Perry when he was not present.

Although ketamine has legitimate medical uses — including as an anesthetic and, in tightly controlled settings, as a treatment for severe depression — authorities say Perry’s use bore little resemblance to regulated care. Investigators determined that Perry was receiving ketamine far more frequently and in larger quantities than would be appropriate under accepted medical standards.

Text messages introduced by prosecutors painted a troubling picture of exploitation. In those messages, Plasencia allegedly referred to Perry dismissively while charging him thousands of dollars for ketamine that cost far less to obtain. Prosecutors argued that Plasencia abused his medical license and position of trust to profit from a patient who was clearly vulnerable.

Matthew Perry’s Long Struggle With Addiction

Matthew Perry was open about his decades-long battle with substance abuse. At the height of his fame on “Friends,” Perry struggled with addiction to alcohol, opioids, and other drugs — a fight that led to multiple stints in rehab and significant health complications.

In his 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, Perry detailed how addiction nearly cost him his life on multiple occasions. In 2018, he survived a burst colon caused by opioid use, a medical emergency that left him hospitalized for months and with a slim chance of survival.

Despite periods of sobriety, Perry continued to battle addiction throughout his adult life. Friends and fans alike saw him as someone who spoke honestly about recovery while acknowledging how fragile it could be.

In the months before his death, Perry had reportedly been receiving ketamine treatment for depression through a legitimate medical clinic. However, that clinic had refused to increase his dosage, citing safety concerns. Prosecutors say Plasencia stepped in to supply additional ketamine outside that clinical framework.

A Broader Network of Enablers

Plasencia is one of several people charged in connection with Perry’s death. Federal authorities described a loose network of suppliers, facilitators, and intermediaries who enabled Perry’s access to ketamine.

Perry’s longtime personal assistant has pleaded guilty to administering ketamine to the actor. Another physician admitted to supplying ketamine to Plasencia, and a woman described by prosecutors as a major ketamine dealer also faces charges.

Authorities have emphasized that this was not a single lapse in judgment, but an ongoing pattern of illegal distribution that ultimately ended in tragedy.

Sentencing and Accountability

At sentencing, prosecutors argued that Plasencia’s conduct went beyond negligence. They said he knowingly placed Perry in danger by providing ketamine to someone with a well-documented addiction history, outside medical safeguards, and for personal financial gain.

The judge agreed, sentencing Plasencia to 30 months in prison. He was taken into custody immediately. Plasencia has also surrendered his medical license, effectively ending his career as a practicing physician.

Defense attorneys requested leniency, citing Plasencia’s lack of prior criminal history and ketamine’s growing acceptance in psychiatric treatment. But the court made clear that medical credentials do not excuse illegal drug distribution — particularly when it results in death.

A Warning About Ketamine Misuse

The case has intensified scrutiny of ketamine’s expanding use outside hospital settings. While many experts acknowledge its potential benefits for treatment-resistant depression, they also warn that unsupervised or excessive use can cause severe dissociation, respiratory suppression, and loss of consciousness.

In Perry’s case, investigators concluded that the acute effects of ketamine caused him to lose consciousness while in water, leading to drowning.

For fans, the sentencing brings a measure of accountability but little comfort. Perry remains widely remembered for his humor, vulnerability, and willingness to speak openly about addiction — a struggle that ultimately claimed his life.

As additional defendants await sentencing, prosecutors say the case sends a clear message: medical professionals who exploit patients and misuse their authority will be held responsible.