A California doctor who illegally supplied ketamine to “Friends” star Matthew Perry in the weeks before his death was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison on Tuesday, Dec. 3, marking the first conviction in a case that exposed an underground drug network in Hollywood.
Salvador Plasencia, known to Perry as “Dr. P,” appeared before U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett in downtown Los Angeles, where he immediately surrendered to custody following the sentencing. The scene turned emotional as his mother, sitting in the courtroom audience, sobbed and sank to her knees while watching her son being handcuffed.
The physician, who operated Malibu Canyon Urgent Care in Calabasas, pleaded guilty on July 23, 2025, to four felony counts of ketamine distribution. In addition to the prison term, Judge Garnett ordered Plasencia to serve two years of supervised release and pay a fine of $5,600.
During the sentencing hearing, Perry’s family delivered devastating victim impact statements. His mother, Suzanne Morrison, spoke directly to Plasencia, telling him she used to think her son “could never die.” She addressed the defendant with raw emotion, saying she wanted him to see his mother. Morrison also condemned a text message in which Plasencia had called her son a “moron,” stating firmly that there was nothing moronic about him.
Perry’s stepfather, Keith Morrison, and other family members also detailed their profound loss. The family’s written statements labeled Plasencia as among the most culpable parties, questioning how a doctor who took an oath to heal could repeatedly supply drugs to someone whose struggles with addiction were widely known.
Plasencia responded with his own tearful apology. He told the court he failed Perry, failed his family, and failed the community. He spoke about how he would one day have to explain to his son that he didn’t protect a mother’s son. Turning to Perry’s family, he said he was sorry.
Judge Garnett issued a stern rebuke from the bench, telling Plasencia that he and others had helped feed Perry’s ketamine addiction. “You took a Hippocratic oath to do no harm, but you did harm,” she stated. The judge noted that Plasencia exploited the actor’s addiction for profit, earning approximately $55,000 from the illegal drug sales.
A prosecutor described Plasencia as “a drug dealer in a white coat” during the proceedings. Prosecutors acknowledged that while Plasencia did not provide the ketamine dose that ultimately killed the actor, his egregious breaches of trust contributed to the harm Perry suffered.
Perry, 54, was found dead in the hot tub of his Pacific Palisades home on Oct. 28, 2023. The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office determined he died from acute effects of ketamine. According to court documents, the fatal dose was administered by Perry’s personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, not by Plasencia.
The case revealed how Plasencia became involved with Perry in late September 2023, approximately one month before the actor’s death. A patient introduced the doctor to Perry, describing him as a high-profile person willing to pay cash and thousands of dollars for ketamine treatment. After learning of Perry’s interest, Plasencia contacted Dr. Mark Chavez, who had previously operated a ketamine clinic, to obtain the drug.
Text messages between the doctors showed Plasencia discussing how much to charge Perry. In one exchange, he wrote about wondering how much Perry would pay, followed by suggesting they find out. These messages became central evidence in demonstrating his exploitative behavior toward a vulnerable patient struggling with addiction.
Plasencia’s defense attorneys argued their client’s judgment was clouded by the promise of making money. After the hearing, they released a statement saying Plasencia accepted the sentence with humility and deep remorse, noting he had voluntarily surrendered his medical license. They characterized him as a good doctor who made serious mistakes involving the off-label use of ketamine while treating Perry.
Plasencia is one of five people charged in connection with Perry’s death. The others include Dr. Mark Chavez, Perry’s assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, acquaintance Erik Fleming, and Jasveen Sangha, known as the “Ketamine Queen.” All have pleaded guilty and await sentencing. Sangha was accused of selling drugs to Perry from what authorities described as a drug-selling emporium in her home.
Ketamine is a legal medication commonly used as an anesthetic and, in controlled settings, to treat depression. Perry had been receiving legitimate ketamine infusion therapy for depression but began seeking additional amounts beyond what his authorized doctors would prescribe. This search led him into contact with Plasencia and others who were willing to supply the drug illegally.
The actor, best known for his role on the hit NBC sitcom “Friends,” had been open about his decades-long struggle with addiction and depression. His death at 54 shocked fans worldwide and raised questions about how medical professionals could exploit vulnerable patients dealing with substance abuse issues.
The sentencing represents a significant moment in holding medical professionals accountable for contributing to overdose deaths through illegal drug distribution. While Plasencia was not charged with providing the fatal dose that ended Perry’s life, his 30-month sentence reflects his guilty plea to four felony counts of ketamine distribution.
Sources:
https://www.aol.com/news/matthew-perrys-dr-p-faces-182812368.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy7v0gpv2pgo
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/matthew-perry-doctor-sentence-ketamine-b2877427.html
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-04/doctor-in-matthew-perry-overdose-case-sentenced/106099756
https://www.themirror.com/entertainment/celebrity-news/matthew-perry-death-doctor-sentencing-1542069