Doctor Salvador Plasencia was sentenced this Wednesday, December 3, 2025, in the federal court of Los Angeles, becoming the first person convicted among the five defendants involved in the case of the fatal ketamine overdose that caused the death of actor
The sentencing took place at 11am (Califórnia local time). Plasencia, owner of a clinic in Malibu, pleaded guilty in July to four counts of distributing ketamine.
He provided 20 vials of the substance to the actor and his personal assistant between September 30 and October 12, 2023. The penalty imposed had not yet been officially disclosed at the time of writing this report.
Conviction details
Departamento of Justiça recommended 36 months in prison. Prosecutors asserted that Plasencia exploited Perry’s vulnerability for financial gain.
Messages exchanged by the doctor with accomplices revealed phrases such as “I would like to know how much this idiot will pay” on the day he met the actor.
The defense asked for just one day in prison already served plus three years of supervised probation. The lawyers highlighted that Plasencia lost his medical license, his clinic and faces threats that forced the family to move out of state.
Medical conduct during treatment
Plasencia personally administered ketamine to Perry on multiple occasions. One of the applications occurred in a parking lot near an aquarium in Long Beach.
On October 12, 2023, the actor experienced a severe reaction, with a sudden increase in blood pressure and body stiffness. Mesmo so the doctor left additional vials with assistant Kenneth Iwamasa.
The doctor acknowledged in the plea agreement that the ketamine transfers had no legitimate medical purpose. Ele also admitted that his conduct fell below the expected standard of care.
Family position of Matthew Perry
Suzanne and Keith Morrison, the actor’s mother and stepfather, sent a statement to the court. Eles classified Plasencia as one of those most responsible for the tragedy.
John and Debbie Perry, father and stepmother, stated that the doctor should have refused to treat their son. Eles asked for a sentence higher than the minimum so that the defendant could reflect on his actions.
The family highlighted that Perry trusted healthcare professionals to protect his recovery. The doctor’s conduct, according to them, directly contributed to the actor’s loss at age 54.
Other defendants in the same case
Four people have already pleaded guilty in the case. Assistant Kenneth Iwamasa will be sentenced on January 14, 2026 and faces up to 15 years in prison.
Doctor Mark Chavez, who sold ketamine to Plasencia, will be sentenced on December 17 and could receive up to 10 years.
- Erik Fleming: sentencing scheduled for January 7, 2026, up to 25 years possible
- Jasveen Sangha, known as “Queen of Cetamina”: sentencing on February 25, 2026, up to 65 years possible
Context of the actor’s death
Matthew Perry was found unconscious in the jacuzzi of his home in
Contributing factors included drowning, coronary artery disease, and effects of buprenorphine. The ketamine found in the actor’s system did not come directly from Plasencia, but the doctor provided large quantities in the previous weeks.
Following the convictions, both Plasencia and Chavez surrendered their medical licenses. The case exposed the irregular recreational and medical use of ketamine in Califórnia clinics.
