California Doctor Pleads Guilty to Distributing Ketamine Linked to Matthew Perry Death

Dr. Salvador Plasencia, a Malibu-based physician, has agreed to plead guilty to four federal charges of distributing ketamine that led to the death of actor Matthew Perry, who was found lifeless in his Los Angeles home in October 2023 due to acute ketamine effects and related complications. Plasencia admitted to illegally supplying and administering ketamine to Perry multiple times, including at Perry's home and in public locations, and also taught Perry's untrained personal assistant how to inject the drug. Over a two-week period, Plasencia delivered 20 vials of ketamine and related paraphernalia to Perry and his assistant, reportedly charging substantial amounts of money, with Perry paying approximately $55,000 to Plasencia and another doctor during the months leading up to his death. This plea is part of a broader investigation involving five defendants, including another doctor and a supplier known as the "Ketamine Queen," who face charges related to providing ketamine to Perry; four have pleaded guilty while the fifth denies the charges. Prosecutors condemned the defendants for prioritizing profit over Perry’s well-being, with Plasencia facing a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. The case highlights risks associated with off-label ketamine use for depression and addiction treatment, underscoring concerns about rogue medical practices and illegal distribution of powerful anesthetics.