Doctor Admits Guilt in Matthew Perry Ketamine Overdose \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Dr. Mark Chavez of San Diego pleads guilty to conspiracy in the overdose death of actor Matthew Perry, becoming the third to do so. Chavez agrees to cooperate against two larger targets: Dr. Salvador Plasencia and alleged dealer Jasmine Sangha. Perry’s death involved ketamine misuse, tied to illegal medical practices.
Guilty Plea in Matthew Perry Overdose Case: Quick Looks
- Third Guilty Plea: Dr. Mark Chavez becomes the third person to plead guilty in Matthew Perry’s overdose case.
- Charges and Cooperation: Chavez pleads guilty to conspiracy in distributing ketamine and agrees to cooperate with prosecutors.
- Main Targets: Prosecutors focus on Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who allegedly supplied Perry directly, and Jasmine Sangha, the alleged “ketamine queen” of Los Angeles.
- Court Admission: Chavez admitted to distributing ketamine in cooperation with Plasencia, acknowledging Perry’s overdose connection.
- Perry’s Addiction Struggles: Perry struggled with addiction for years, including during his “Friends” fame, ultimately leading to his fatal encounter with ketamine.
Deep Look
A San Diego doctor, Mark Chavez, has become the third individual to plead guilty in connection with the drug overdose that led to the death of Matthew Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the hit sitcom “Friends.” Chavez, 54, entered his plea on Wednesday in a federal court in Los Angeles, admitting to a felony count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. His plea is part of an ongoing effort by federal prosecutors to target those they believe were the primary contributors to Perry’s untimely death.
The guilty plea follows a deal reached in July, where Dr. Chavez agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. In return, the U.S. Attorneys Office hopes to build a case against Dr. Salvador Plasencia and alleged ketamine dealer Jasmine Sangha. Plasencia is accused of directly providing ketamine to Perry, while Sangha, known as the “ketamine queen” of Los Angeles, allegedly supplied the doses that ultimately led to Perry’s death in October 2023.
During the court proceedings, Chavez stood alongside his attorney, answering a series of questions from Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett. Chavez confirmed that he was voluntarily waiving his right to a trial and agreed to forfeit several legal rights as part of the plea agreement.
As prosecutors detailed the timeline, Chavez listened while they recounted multiple occasions where he met with Dr. Plasencia in locations between San Diego and Los Angeles to provide ketamine acquired using fraudulent prescriptions. In total, Chavez admitted to providing 22 five-milliliter vials of ketamine, along with nine ketamine lozenges.
When the discussion turned to Perry’s tragic death, Chavez appeared visibly affected, clearing his throat as the prosecutor spoke. Judge Garnett asked directly, “Are you pleading guilty because you did the things the prosecutors described?” Chavez responded with a simple, “Yes, your honor.”
Chavez will remain free on bond until his sentencing, which is scheduled for April 2. As part of his release conditions, he surrendered his passport and agreed to give up his medical license. Though the judge reminded Chavez that she could impose the full 10-year sentence permitted by law, Chavez’s cooperation with prosecutors will likely result in a significantly reduced sentence.
Speaking briefly to reporters after the court appearance, Chavez’s lawyer, Matthew Binninger, said, “Mark entered his plea of guilty, and that’s now a matter of public record. You accept responsibility and then you set sentencing.”
Chavez is not the only individual to be cooperating with the authorities. Perry’s personal assistant has also admitted to assisting him in obtaining and using ketamine, and an acquaintance of Perry has admitted to acting as a drug courier. Their cooperation is expected to further bolster the prosecution’s case against the key targets of the investigation—Plasencia and Sangha.
Perry, who was found dead by his assistant on October 28, 2023, died due to ketamine toxicity, according to the medical examiner. The actor had been using the drug as part of a legal, albeit off-label, treatment for depression—a treatment that has gained popularity in recent years. However, Perry began seeking larger quantities of ketamine than his prescribing doctor was willing to provide, ultimately leading him to Dr. Plasencia.
Prosecutors revealed text messages between Plasencia and Chavez as part of the investigation, showing the extent of their collaboration. In one text exchange, Plasencia referred to Perry as a “moron” and expressed curiosity about how much Perry would be willing to pay for more ketamine. On the same day, the two doctors met in Costa Mesa, halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, where Chavez handed over at least four vials of ketamine.
After Perry paid $4,500 for the drugs, Plasencia allegedly reached out to Chavez, asking if he could continue to supply ketamine so that Perry could become their “go-to” client. During court proceedings on Wednesday, prosecutors highlighted another text exchange in which Plasencia asked Chavez if he was comfortable with their actions. Chavez’s response: “Depends on your tolerance for risk.” The conversation also touched on the possibility of starting a ketamine clinic, with Chavez indicating interest as long as they avoided any “shady stuff.”
When announcing the charges back in August, U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada was unequivocal in his criticism of the doctors’ conduct. Estrada stated that the doctors “preyed on Perry’s history of addiction in the final months of his life last year to provide him with ketamine in amounts they knew were dangerous.”
Matthew Perry’s struggles with addiction were well-documented and extended back to his time on “Friends,” when he became one of the most famous actors of his generation. Alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer, Perry entertained millions as the sarcastic yet endearing Chandler Bing over the course of the show’s ten seasons from 1994 to 2004. However, behind the scenes, Perry was grappling with addiction, a battle that lasted for decades and ultimately led to his tragic death.
The upcoming sentencing of Dr. Chavez and the ongoing investigation into Dr. Plasencia and Jasmine Sangha mark just the beginning of a broader effort by prosecutors to bring those responsible for Perry’s death to justice. The case also highlights the dangers of ketamine misuse and the risks associated with off-label treatments that are not carefully monitored. As federal prosecutors continue their work, the public is reminded of the dark side of Hollywood fame and the often hidden struggles faced by those in the spotlight.
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