What you should know about the 5 people accused of Matthew Perry's death

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Five people were charged in connection with Matthew Perry's Death from a ketamine overdose last year, 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 charges.

The five were charged with supplying Perry with large quantities of ketamine, which led to his October 2023: Death by overdose.

Here's what we know so far about the defendants after a comprehensive investigation into Perry's death.

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 connection with 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 could be released on $100,000 bail.

An indictment filed Wednesday alleges that Plasencia, who was commonly known as “Dr. P,” used encrypted messaging applications and coded language to discuss drug deals, referring to ketamine bottles as “Dr. Pepper,” “cans” and “bots.” He is accused of facilitating the transfer of drugs from himself and others who have been charged to Perry's personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa.

According to the indictment, Plasencia exchanged text messages with others involved in 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 each count related to ketamine and up to 20 years for each count of falsifying records.

Jasveen Sangha

Prosecutors allege Sangha is a drug dealer whose North Hollywood residence was a distribution point for the ketamine that killed Perry. She is known as the “Ketamine Queen,” according to court documents.

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 few 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 their 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 often communicated in coded language with the other defendants in connection with Perry's death to obtain ketamine, authorities said. He has admitted to giving Perry multiple ketamine injections, including on the day of his death.

He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine resulting in 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 did not respond to requests for comment.

Possible sentence: 15 years in prison.

Mark Chavez

Chavez, a San Diego doctor, has pleaded guilty to one 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 would not be sold or distributed to third parties or used for any other purpose.

Chavez, 54, graduated from UCLA with a medical degree in 2004 and founded a company called The Health MD, which appears to be a concierge practice focused on longevity and fitness. Like Plasencia, Chavez has never been disciplined, according to his record. His license expires in 2026.

Several messages seeking comment from Chavez's company and his personal email address have not 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 one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in 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 four days before the actor's death.

Fleming's lawyers did not respond to requests for comment.

Possible sentence: 25 years in prison.