A Southern California physician has been sentenced for his role in supplying ketamine that contributed to the death of “Friends” actor Matthew Perry. Dr. Mark Chavez received eight months of home confinement followed by three years of supervised release, becoming the second individual sentenced in connection with the high-profile case.
The sentencing concludes one chapter in a multiyear federal investigation that exposed an underground pharmaceutical network operating within Hollywood’s elite circles. Chavez, based in San Diego, admitted to fraudulently obtaining ketamine through deceptive prescriptions from both his former clinic and a wholesale distributor, which he then sold to co-conspirator Dr. Salvador Plasencia.
Court documents reveal a disturbing scheme where medical professionals exploited Perry’s known struggles with addiction for financial gain. Text messages between Chavez and Plasencia showed blatant disregard for ethical standards, with one message referring to Perry as “this moron” while discussing potential profits from his addiction.
The investigation uncovered that Perry’s live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, facilitated transactions totaling over $50,000 worth of ketamine in the weeks preceding the actor’s October 2023 death. Despite being legally prescribed ketamine for depression and anxiety treatment, Perry sought additional quantities beyond his medical allocation, ultimately connecting him to this illicit supply chain.
Forensic analysis determined that acute ketamine intoxication caused Perry’s death, with toxicology reports showing dangerously elevated levels of the anesthetic in his system. The case has highlighted ongoing concerns about prescription drug abuse and the ethical responsibilities of medical professionals.
Three additional defendants—including Perry’s assistant, a man named Erik Fleming, and British-American dealer Jasveen Sangha (known as the “Ketamine Queen”)—await sentencing in coming months. Chavez avoided a potential decade-long prison sentence through his plea agreement, which included surrendering his medical license and passport.