Matthew Perry: Death by overdose: Two doctors and the “ketamine queen” among the five defendants

LOS ANGELES – Among those facing charges in federal court in the death of “Friends” star Matthew Perry are two doctors and a woman nicknamed the “Ketamine Queen.”

Five people were arrested in an operation early Thursday morning on charges of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, according to an 18-count indictment unsealed the same day. The prosecution alleges the defendants were involved in distributing ketamine in the final weeks of Perry's life, leading to his fatal overdose.

“[The] The investigation uncovered a widespread underground criminal network responsible for distributing large quantities of ketamine to Mr. Perry and others. This network included a live-in assistant, various intermediaries, two doctors, and a major drug source known as the “Ketamine Queen.” We have charged five defendants in this matter. These defendants exploited Mr. Perry's addiction issues to enrich themselves. They knew what they were doing was wrong. They knew they were putting Mr. Perry in grave danger. But they did it anyway. Ultimately, these defendants were more interested in profiting from Mr. Perry than in caring about his well-being,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada.

File: Investigators execute an arrest warrant in connection with the death of actor Matthew Perry. (FOX 11)

The defendants include:

• Jasveen Sangha, 41, aka “The Ketamine Queen,” of North Hollywood
• Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 42, aka “Dr. P,” from Santa Monica
• Eric Fleming, 54, of Hawthorne
• Kenneth Iwamasa, 59, of Toluca Lake
• Dr. Mark Chavez, 54, of San Diego

Sangha and Plasencia face multiple charges, including conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Sangha is also charged with maintaining a drug-dependent operation, possession of methamphetamine and ketamine with intent to distribute, and multiple counts of distribution of ketamine. The indictment states that Sangha's distribution of ketamine was directly responsible for Perry's death on October 24, 2023.

Plasencia, who allegedly called Perry an “idiot” in text messages about the amount he was paying for ketamine, also faces charges of ketamine trafficking and falsification of records in connection with the federal investigation.

Fleming and Iwamasa have both pleaded guilty to charges related to the case and admitted their roles in obtaining and administering ketamine to Perry. Chavez, a former ketamine clinic operator, has agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine, admitting that he sold ketamine to Plasencia after diverting it from his clinic and obtaining more through fraudulent means.

File: Matthew Perry. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for GQ)

The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office determined that the “Friends” star died last October at his Pacific Palisades home from the “acute effects of ketamine.”

“Contributing factors to Mr. Perry's death include drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine (a drug used to treat opioid addiction). The cause of death was accidental,” the coroner determined.

Perry reportedly received ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety, but his last known treatment was more than a week before his death. The medical examiner determined that the ketamine in his body at the time of his death could not have come from that therapy because the drug's half-life is three to four hours.

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U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada stressed that the defendants were “more concerned with profiting from Mr. Perry than with his well-being,” adding that the case sends a message that drug traffickers should be held accountable for the deaths they cause.

DEA Director Anne Milgram and LAPD Chief Dominic Choi echoed Estrada's sentiments, emphasizing the need for cooperation between federal and local authorities in bringing charges against those responsible for Perry's death.

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If convicted, the defendants face lengthy prison sentences. Sangha could face a minimum sentence of 10 years to life in prison, while Plasencia faces up to 20 years in prison for each count of forgery. Fleming and Iwamasa also face lengthy prison sentences if convicted in federal court.

Perry was 54 years old.