Doctor Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for Illegally Selling Ketamine to Matthew perry
Los Angeles, CA – A doctor who pleaded guilty to selling ketamine to actor matthew Perry in the weeks leading up to his death was sentenced to 2 years in prison on Thursday. Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett also imposed a two-year probation period on dr. Salvador Plasencia,44,during a hearing in federal court in Los Angeles.
While Judge Garnett emphasized that Plasencia did not provide the ketamine that directly caused perry’s death, she stated he contributed to the tragic outcome. “You and others helped Mr. Perry on the road to such an ending by continuing to feed his ketamine addiction,” she told the defendant. “You exploited Mr. Perry’s addiction for your own profit.”
Plasencia was escorted from the courtroom in handcuffs as his mother audibly wept. His legal team indicated he was prepared to surrender immediately, though arrangements for a formal surrender date might potentially be made.
The sentencing was preceded by emotional victim impact statements from Perry’s mother, stepmother, and two half-sisters. Sister Madeline Morrison described the devastating impact of her brother’s death, stating, “My brother’s death turned my world upside down. It punched a crater in my life.His absence is everywhere.” She further emphasized, “The world mourns my brother. He was everyone’s favorite friend,” and passionately added, “Celebrities are not plastic dolls that you can take advantage of. They’re people. They’re human beings with families.”
Plasencia is the first of five defendants to be sentenced in connection with Perry’s death at age 54 in 2023. He admitted to knowingly taking advantage of Perry’s struggles with addiction, even texting another doctor that the actor was a “moron” who could be exploited financially, according to court filings.
Prosecutors had requested a three-year prison sentence, while the defence argued for a mere day in prison followed by probation.
Perry’s mother, Suzanne Perry, spoke of her son’s resilience and accomplishments, sharing, “I used to think he couldn’t die.” Addressing Plasencia directly, she stated, “You called him a ‘moron.’ There is nothing moronic about that man. He was even a successful drug addict.” She concluded with a tearful plea, “This was a bad thing you did!”
Before sentencing, Plasencia himself broke down in tears, expressing remorse for his actions and imagining the difficult conversation he would have with his two-year-old son.”About the time I didn’t protect another mother’s son. It hurts me so much. I can’t believe I’m here,” he said, offering a direct apology to perry’s family. “I should have protected him.”
Perry had been legally receiving ketamine as a treatment for depression, but turned to Plasencia when his primary physician refused to increase the dosage. Plasencia subsequently admitted to illegally selling the drug to Perry,fully aware of his addiction.
Defense attorneys attempted to portray Plasencia as a doctor who had overcome poverty to serve his community, beloved by his patients. though, Judge Garnett dismissed the argument that Plasencia was simply treating a patient, stating, “Mr. Plasencia kept pushing it. He literally was offering to sell ketamine.”
The remaining four defendants who have pleaded guilty are scheduled to be sentenced in the coming months, with Judge Garnett indicating she would strive for consistency in the sentencing across all cases.
Perry’s long-standing battle with addiction dated back to his time on the hit television series Friends,where he rose to fame as Chandler Bing alongside Jennifer Aniston,Courteney Cox,Lisa Kudrow,Matt LeBlanc,and David Schwimmer,starring in 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004.
