One of the doctors accused of providing ketamine to American actor Matthew Perry (54), who died in October 2023, has pleaded guilty to four counts of distribution and faces 10 years in prison for each count, reports CNN.
Salvador Plasencia – who is out on bail – will face a statutory maximum sentence of a decade behind bars for each count at his sentencing hearing on 3 December. His attorneys say he will surrender his medical licence in the next six weeks, and “is profoundly remorseful for the treatment decisions he made while providing ketamine to Matthew Perry”.
He also acknowledges “his failure to protect a patient who was especially vulnerable due to addiction”.
Plasencia is one of five people who were charged in connection with Perry’s death. Prosecutors say an underground network of drug sellers and suppliers was responsible for distributing the ketamine that killed Perry, who starred in the TV show Friends.
Perry died from “acute effects” of ketamine and subsequent drowning, according to the autopsy report. His body was found floating in a hot tub at his LA home.
Plasencia faces a maximum sentence of 40 years, a three-year period of supervised release, and a fine of $2m or twice the gross gain or loss from the offences, whatever is greatest, as well as a mandatory $400 special assessment.
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