Doctor Charged in Connection to Matthew Perry's Death Pleads Guilty to Distribution of Ketamine

When actor Matthew Perry died in October 2023, his cause of death was revealed to be an accidental ketamine overdose. Almost a year later, five people were charged in connection to his death, per the Los Angeles Times. One was a doctor who, upon finding out Matthew was interested in obtaining ketamine, allegedly facilitated several purchases. Authorities also said Dr. Salvador Plasencia taught Matthew's assistant how to inject the ketamine and did it himself on at least one occasion.

In the indictment, 43-year-old Plasencia was accused of "giving officials falsified documents showing a medical treatment plan for Matthew that claimed he was being given a maximum dose of 60 milligrams over 24 hours." In reality, it was much more. Where is he now? Here's what we know.

In July 2025, nearly two years after Perry's death, Plasencia pleaded guilty to four counts of distribution of ketamine, according to CNN. In a statement obtained by the outlet, Plasencia said he is "profoundly remorseful for the treatment decisions he made while providing ketamine to Matthew Perry." It went on to say that he accepts full responsibility for his actions and acknowledges his "failure to protect Mr. Perry, a patient who was especially vulnerable due to addiction."

Plasencia's sentencing hearing is scheduled for Dec. 3, 2025. He faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison for each count, for a total of 40 years. Until that time, Plasencia will remain free on bond. Upon completion of his sentence, Plasencia will have a three-year period of supervised release. The doctor has also been ordered to pay a fine of $2 million or twice the gross gain or loss from the offenses.

Mark Chavez, a second doctor charged in connection to Perry's death, pleaded guilty to distributing ketamine in October 2024. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 2025, per ABC News. Text messages between Plasencia and Chavez were shockingly cruel. "I wonder how much this moron will pay," said Plasencia to Chavez.

The Los Angeles Times reported that as of August 2024, Plasencia was still practicing medicine out of an urgent care facility he operated in Calabasas, Calif. Because he was facing felony charges, the Drug Enforcement Administration prohibited Plasencia from prescribing controlled substances. According to the Medical Board of California, Plasencia's license is active through Oct. 31, 2026, though he intends to surrender it in August 2025.

How does one practice medicine in a situation like this? Plasencia's attorney, Stefan Sacks, told The Times that his client had to "disclose in writing the existence of the pending federal case, and the fact that he cannot prescribe controlled substances." Patients also had to sign a written form of consent for treatment.