Both federal and local law enforcement officials announced on Thursday that a total of five arrests have been made in connection with the overdose death of “Friends” star Matthew Perry. Martin Estrada, the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, announced that the individuals arrested included two doctors and that they have been charged with multiple counts during a press conference. Perry died Oct. 28, 202, drowning in his hot tub at his residence located in Pacific Palisades. The actor was 54-years-old.
Fox News revealed the names of the five suspects: Jasveen Sangha, 41, a.k.a. “The Ketamine Queen,” of North Hollywood; Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 42, a.k.a. “Dr. P,” of Santa Monica; Eric Fleming, 54, of Hawthorne; Kenneth Iwamasa, 59, of Toluca Lake; and Dr. Mark Chavez, 54, of San Diego.
Estrada said at one point that the defendants distributed approximately “20 vials for approximately $50,000 in cash” to Perry for Kenneth (Kenny) Iwamasa, Perry’s live-in assistant, to distribute the drug to the actor. During another sale, the dealers “took advantage of Mr. Perry” by selling approximately “50 vials of ketamine for approximately $11,000 in cash.”
Iwamasa served as Perry’s personal assistant prior to his death. He allegedly conspired with Sangha, Fleming and Plasencia to illegally obtain ketamine and distribute it to the late actor, according to court documents, and Iwamasa admitted to repeatedly injecting Perry with ketamine without medical training, including performing multiple injections on the day Perry died.
On Aug. 7, Iwamasa entered a guilty plea to a single count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death and has now entered a plea agreement.
Sangha and Plasencia are charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Sangha is also charged with one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute ketamine and five counts of distribution of ketamine.
If Sangha is convicted of all charges, he could potentially spend a minimum of 10 years in a federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life behind bars. Plasencia is looking at possibly 10 years for each ketamine related charge, along with 20 years in prison for each count of records falsification.
“Fleming pleaded guilty on Aug. 8 to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death. Fleming admitted in court documents that he distributed the ketamine that killed Perry. He also agreed to a plea deal,” Fox News reported. “Chavez agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine as part of his plea agreement. The San Diego-based doctor admitted to selling ketamine to Plasencia, including ketamine that he had diverted from his former ketamine clinic.”
Along with the ketamine, an autopsy of Perry’s body revealed that several other conditions contributed to his passing, including “coronary artery disease, buprenorphrine effects.” Officials also revealed that loose pills and prescription drugs were also discovered at the actor’s home.
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic drug with “established medical and surgical uses,” the autopsy detailed. Perry reportedly received “ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety.” His last known treatment was more than one week prior to his death, but the medical examiner determined “the ketamine in his system at death could not be from that infusion therapy, since ketamine’s half-life is 3 to 4 hours, or less.”
What a tragic way to see someone’s life come to an end. Perry was a great actor. He was absolutely hilarious as Chandler Bing on “Friends” and made an entire generation laugh. His legacy from the show lives on as new people discover it on streaming services.
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