Matthew Perry's physician confesses to guilt following his demise - Following Matthew Perry's demise, the healthcare provider admits to guilty charges.
In a shocking turn of events, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, a medical professional, pleaded guilty in federal court on July 23, 2025, to distributing ketamine to actor Matthew Perry in the month leading up to his accidental overdose death in October 2023. This guilty plea makes Plasencia the fourth of five individuals charged in connection with Perry’s death to admit guilt.
According to prosecutors, Plasencia supplied ketamine to Perry despite indications that Perry experienced adverse reactions, including freezing up and increased blood pressure during injections. The case has highlighted ethical and legal responsibilities of medical professionals amid substance abuse vulnerabilities.
Plasencia reportedly charged Perry about $2,000 per vial, while dealers paid only $12. Prosecutors accused Plasencia of exploiting Perry’s addiction to enrich himself financially.
The guilty plea was entered before Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett in Los Angeles federal court. Plasencia acknowledged his legal team considered all plea and sentencing possibilities. He plans to voluntarily relinquish his medical license, acknowledging professional misconduct and failure to protect Perry.
The four counts of ketamine distribution carry a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison, but actual sentencing may be more lenient depending on judicial discretion and cooperation. Plasencia has been released on bond since shortly after his arrest and will remain free until sentencing, which is scheduled for December 3, 2025.
The case against Plasencia significantly advances the federal prosecution of those responsible for illicit ketamine distribution leading to Perry’s fatal overdose. Sentencing will clarify consequences for his role, amid broader scrutiny of medical professionals enabling substance misuse.
Matthew Perry, age 54, was found dead in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home on October 28, 2023. Prior to his death, Perry had spoken openly about his struggles with substance abuse. Perry underwent ketamine therapy under medical supervision for depression and anxiety.
Following Perry’s death, police and prosecutors leveled serious charges against five individuals. Three of the five individuals, including another doctor, an assistant, and a friend of Perry's, pleaded guilty last year. Sentences are still pending. A notorious drug supplier known as the "Ketamine Queen" is set to go to trial in mid-August. She pleaded not guilty.
Ketamine has been a reliable anesthetic for decades and is also used to treat certain cases of therapy-resistant depression. However, it is also used illegally as a party drug by some people. The doctor's attorney stated that he is "deeply remorseful" about his treatment decisions. Additional charges against the doctor were dropped in exchange for his guilty plea.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of substance abuse and the importance of medical professionals adhering to ethical and legal standards. The sentencing of Dr. Plasencia in December will provide further clarity on the consequences for those who fail to do so.
In the aftermath of Matthew Perry's tragic death, the case against Dr. Salvador Plasencia, a medical professional, has underscored the role of mental-health and health-and-wellness professionals in society, particularly in the context of substance abuse. Plasencia, who pleaded guilty to distributing ketamine to Perry, allegedly exploited Perry's addiction to financially enrich himself. This incident serves as a warning for the importance of adhering to ethical and legal standards in the field of science, therapies-and-treatments, and justice for people in the USA, especially given the potential dangers of substances like ketamine, both in the medical setting and on the streets.
