Doctor implicated in Matthew Perry’s overdose death expected to enter guilty plea

California doctor Mark Chavez is expected to plead guilty in a deal with federal prosecutors over the fatal overdose of actor Matthew Perry. Chavez will plead to conspiring to distribute ketamine to Perry, facing up to 10 years in prison. He had already surrendered his passport and agreed to no longer practice medicine. Chavez sold ketamine lozenges to Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who then distributed them to Perry. Text messages between Chavez and Plasencia showed they considered how much to charge Perry for the drugs. Chavez obtained the ketamine through fraudulent practices, according to the indictment. Perry had been undergoing ketamine therapy for depression and anxiety, but the levels in his body at the time of death were dangerously high. Other individuals charged in connection with Perry’s death include his personal assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, friend Erik Fleming, and alleged drug dealer Jasveen Sangha. Authorities believe each defendant played a role in Perry’s death by providing him with ketamine. The Drug Enforcement Administration chief stated the importance of holding accountable those responsible for abusing their positions of trust in connection with Perry’s death. The actor’s tragic journey, as described by authorities, included unscrupulous doctors and street dealers who contributed to his overdose.

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