Dr. Salvador Plasencia, a 43-year-old Los Angeles physician, was found guilty Wednesday, July 23, of providing ketamine to actor Matthew Perry about a month before he died of an overdose. Plasencia is the fourth of five defendants in the case to have agreed to cooperate with authorities.
The doctor, who was expected to go on trial in August, appeared in federal court accompanied by his attorney, where he pleaded guilty to four counts of unlawful distribution of ketamine. His plea agreement also includes the dismissal of three other distribution charges and two counts of falsifying medical records.
During the hearing, Plasencia spoke only to answer the judge's questions. When she asked him if he had considered all options with his lawyers about the legal consequences, he replied curtly:
"Yes, we have considered everything."
According to court documents and statements from other defendants, Plasencia illegally supplied Perry with large amounts of ketamine for a full month before his death on October 28, 2023. In a text message, he called the actor a “fool” and added that he “could be used for money.”
Prosecutors said that although Plasencia did not personally administer the fatal dose to Perry, he did administer it during a medical session where Perry experienced convulsions and high blood pressure. The doctor, however, left additional doses of ketamine in the care of the actor's personal assistant for later use.
Under U.S. law, each of the drug distribution charges carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, with a maximum of 40 years, without the possibility of parole. However, given his plea agreement and cooperation with authorities, his sentence is expected to be less severe. He will remain free on parole until sentencing on December 3.
