Matthew Perry death: five sentenced over the ketamine supply

A federal court in Los Angeles has now sentenced all five people who pleaded guilty over the ketamine that caused the death of the actor Matthew Perry. The sentences ranged from eight months of home confinement to 15 years in prison. The last was passed on 27 May 2026, closing a prosecution that began after Perry died on 28 October 2023, aged 54. All five defendants admitted their roles, so there was no trial.

What happened

Perry was found dead in a hot tub at his home in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles. The county medical examiner found that the acute effects of ketamine caused his death. Drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid dependence, were listed as contributing factors.

Prosecutors said Perry had a long history of addiction and wanted more ketamine than his lawful providers would give him. They alleged that a network of doctors and dealers filled the gap. In October 2023, prosecutors said, 51 vials of ketamine were sold to the actor's household. His live-in assistant injected him with it, including at least three shots on the day he died.

The charges and pleas

Five people were charged in the Central District of California. All five pleaded guilty, and all were sentenced by United States District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett.

• Erik Fleming, a licensed drug addiction counsellor, acted as a middleman. He pleaded guilty in August 2024 to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and to distribution resulting in death. He was the first defendant to plead guilty.
• Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry's live-in assistant, pleaded guilty in August 2024 to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine resulting in death.
• Mark Chavez, a doctor who once ran a ketamine clinic, admitted selling fraudulently obtained ketamine to Dr Salvador Plasencia. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.
• Dr Salvador Plasencia ran an urgent-care clinic. He pleaded guilty in July 2025 to four counts of distributing ketamine.
• Jasveen Sangha, whom prosecutors described as the "Ketamine Queen", pleaded guilty in August 2025 to five counts. They were one of maintaining a drug-involved premises, three of distributing ketamine and one of distribution resulting in death or serious bodily injury. She had been due to stand trial in September 2025.

The sentences

Plasencia and Chavez

Plasencia faced up to 40 years in prison. Prosecutors asked for three years and the defence asked for probation. The judge imposed 30 months. She rejected the argument that he had set out to treat Perry's depression, saying he had sought to exploit the actor's addiction for profit. Plasencia apologised to the family in court. Chavez avoided prison. Reports say both doctors gave up their medical licences.

Sangha

Sangha faced a maximum of 65 years. Prosecutors asked for 15 years, saying she ran a high-volume drug business from her North Hollywood home and kept selling after learning of earlier overdose deaths. As part of her plea, she admitted selling ketamine to another man, Cody McLaury, hours before he died of an overdose in 2019. His case was unconnected to Perry.

Her lawyers argued that the time she had already spent in custody, since August 2024, was sufficient. At the hearing she told the court she took full responsibility. Members of Perry's family gave victim impact statements, which are statements to the court about how a crime has affected them. The judge imposed the 15 years prosecutors had sought.

Fleming

Prosecutors asked for 30 months and the defence for three months. Judge Garnett chose 24 months. She said Fleming was not as culpable as Plasencia but was "not a whole lot less" responsible. Fleming's early cooperation with investigators counted in his favour. He was ordered to surrender to begin his term within about 45 days.

Iwamasa

Prosecutors sought 41 months and noted his significant cooperation. His lawyers said he acted at Perry's direction. The judge accepted that there was no hard evidence of malicious intent, but described his conduct as reckless, both on the day Perry died and in the days before. When the defence said he had been unable to refuse Perry's requests, she said he had been unwilling, not unable.

Why the sentences differ

The five sentences reflect differences in role, in cooperation and in what each person admitted. Federal sentencing considers the offence, the defendant's history and any help given to prosecutors. Plea agreements can also narrow the charges. Sangha received the longest term. Prosecutors said she was the source of the drugs and ran a sustained trafficking business. Fleming and Iwamasa received shorter terms, and the court took their cooperation into account. Chavez, who sold to a doctor rather than directly to Perry's household, received the lightest penalty.

Where the case stands

With Iwamasa's sentencing, every defendant charged over Perry's death has now been dealt with by the court. The case has also drawn attention to the supply of ketamine, an anaesthetic that is lawfully prescribed in some settings and is also sold illegally. Perry's family have spoken publicly about the impact of his death and of the betrayal they felt on learning how the drug reached him. The court record shows that his death was the result of a chain of supply involving medical professionals, a counsellor, a dealer and a trusted employee, each of whom has now been held to account.