Five individuals, including two doctors and a notorious drug dealer known as the “Ketamine Queen,” have been charged in connection with the overdose death of “Friends” star Matthew Perry. The actor, who was 54 years old, was found unresponsive in the swimming pool of his Los Angeles home in October 2023, sparking an outpouring of grief from fans worldwide.

U.S. officials allege that the defendants took advantage of Perry’s struggles with addiction, supplying him with dangerous amounts of ketamine for profit. “These defendants were more interested in profiting off Mr. Perry than caring for his well-being,” said Martin Estrada, U.S. Attorney for California’s Central District. “They knew what they were doing was wrong. They knew what they were doing was risking great danger to Mr. Perry, but they did it anyway.”

Among those charged are doctors Salvador Plasencia and Mark Chavez, Perry’s live-in assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, a broker named Eric Fleming, and the North Hollywood dealer, Jasveen Sangha, known as the “Ketamine Queen.” The group is accused of supplying Perry with the controlled substance that ultimately led to his death.

Exploitation of Addiction

Perry, who became a household name for his portrayal of Chandler Bing on the hit TV show “Friends” from 1994 to 2004, had a well-documented struggle with addiction. Despite his efforts at recovery, Perry allegedly relapsed in the fall of 2023, during which time he was supplied with ketamine by the charged individuals.

Estrada detailed how Plasencia and Chavez sold Perry 20 vials of ketamine over two months for a total of $55,000, despite knowing the risks. Plasencia, who operates in the affluent Calabasas neighborhood, reportedly injected Perry with the drug himself, even after witnessing adverse reactions.

In a text message to Chavez, Plasencia allegedly referred to Perry as a “moron” and speculated on how much money he could extract from the actor. Despite seeing Perry “freeze up” and experience a spike in blood pressure after an injection, Plasencia continued to provide ketamine, leaving additional vials with Perry’s assistant.

Sangha, the “Ketamine Queen,” is accused of running a drug-selling operation out of her home, which officials described as a “drug-selling emporium” stocked with various illegal substances, including methamphetamine, cocaine, and prescription drugs like Xanax. Through broker Eric Fleming, Perry obtained the batch of ketamine that ultimately led to his fatal overdose.

Legal Consequences

The defendants now face serious legal consequences. Plasencia, who appeared in court with his ankles chained, denied the charges, including one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. He was released on $100,000 bail and is scheduled to stand trial on October 8, facing up to 120 years in prison if convicted.

Sangha, a dual British and American citizen, entered a not guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and other charges. She was denied bail after the court learned of her jet-set lifestyle, including a trip to Tokyo just weeks after Perry’s death. Sangha could face life in prison if convicted.

The other defendants have either pleaded guilty or are expected to do so, with potential sentences ranging from 10 to 25 years in prison.

A Tragic End to a Storied Career

Matthew Perry’s death is a tragic chapter in the life of an actor who brought joy to millions but battled personal demons for much of his career. In his 2022 memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” Perry candidly discussed his struggles with addiction, detailing how he had gone through detox dozens of times and survived a drug-related burst colon in 2018.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has condemned the actions of those charged, with DEA Chief Anne Milgram stating that Perry’s relapse was met not with help, but with exploitation. “The desperation that led Perry to these individuals was not met with help… but instead, it was met with exploitation,” Milgram said.

As the case unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of addiction and the predatory behavior of those who exploit it for personal gain.