Actor Matthew Perry's personal physician, Dr. P, admits guilt for providing ketamine to Perry before his demise.
Dr. Salvador Plasencia, also known as "Dr. P.", has pleaded guilty in a federal court to four counts of distributing ketamine illegally, in connection with supplying the drug to actor Matthew Perry in the month before his fatal overdose in 2023[1][2][3]. The plea deal, agreed upon in July 2025, resulted in three additional distribution charges and two counts of falsifying records being dropped[1].
The sentencing for Dr. Plasencia, who admitted guilt while facing a maximum sentence of up to 40 years in prison and possible fines totaling $2 million[1][2][3], is scheduled for December 3, 2025, and he remains free on bond until then[3]. As part of the consequences of his plea, Dr. Plasencia plans to voluntarily relinquish his medical license within 30 to 45 days[2][3].
This case is part of a broader federal prosecution targeting individuals who exploited Perry's addiction to ketamine, which was a factor in his death by acute ketamine effects combined with drowning and other health issues[1]. Other defendants, including Kenneth Iwamasa, another doctor, and a woman dubbed the "Ketamine Queen", have also pleaded guilty or cooperated with authorities[1].
Iwamasa, who injected the fatal dose of ketamine to Matthew Perry, pleaded guilty to his own connected charges last year[1]. The final dose of ketamine that Perry received was allegedly sourced from Jasveen Sangha, who is known as the "Ketamine Queen". Sangha, however, pleaded not guilty and has a trial date set for Aug. 19[1].
It is important to note that at the time of Perry's death, Dr. Plasencia was not treating him as a patient[1]. Dr. Plasencia's defence lawyer requested that he remains out on bail until his sentencing, citing his remorse for his role in supplying ketamine to Perry and his hope that his case serves as a warning to other medical professionals[2].
In addition, Dr. Plasencia's Calabasas urgent care clinic requires patients to sign waivers explaining the charges against him[1]. The case highlights the dangers of exploiting individuals struggling with addiction and the consequences that such actions can have.
- Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who hails from Los Angeles, California, is facing a December 3 sentencing in a federal court due to his guilty plea over illegal ketamine distribution, which led to actor Matthew Perry's fatal overdose in 2023.
- The plea deal, agreed upon in July 2025, dropped three additional distribution charges and two counts of falsifying records, but he still faces a potential prison sentence of up to 40 years and substantial fines.
- In a broader federal prosecution, other defendants such as Kenneth Iwamasa, another doctor, and Jasveen Sangha, known as the "Ketamine Queen", have also been involved in the exploitation of Perry's addiction.
- While Iwamasa injected the fatal dose of ketamine to Perry, Sangha, who is accused of sourcing the final dose, has pleaded not guilty and is set for trial on Aug. 19, 2025.
- It is worth noting that Dr. Plasencia was not treating Perry as a patient at the time of Perry's death, yet his actions highlight the importance of mental-health, entertainment industry's role in addiction, and the dangers of crimes related to health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and general-news.
- Patients seeking care at Dr. Plasencia's Calabasas clinic are required to sign waivers about the charges against him, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in the medical field.
