Ketamine Queen Gets Prison Time Over Matthew Perry Death

Matthew Perry died in October 2023 at 54. Two months later, officials called it an accident. Then the toxicology report dropped, saying it was the acute effects of ketamine. He had been getting doctor-supervised ketamine infusions for depression and anxiety, but his last clinical session was over a week before he died. That gap lit the fuse on a sprawling investigation that led to multiple arrests, plea deals, and prison sentences. Here is how this very messy chain of people, texts, and vials came together — and where it ended up.

Who is who in this saga

Dr. Salvador Plasencia: a licensed physician who, according to prosecutors, bought ketamine off the books and funneled it to Perry. He later struck a plea deal and ultimately pleaded guilty to distribution counts.

Jasveen Sangha: an alleged dealer known as the 'Ketamine Queen.' She supplied bulk vials through a stash house and later pleaded guilty, including to a charge tied to a death.

Kenneth Iwamasa: Perry’s former personal assistant. He admitted he repeatedly injected Perry with ketamine despite having no medical training, including on the day Perry died.

Erik Fleming: an acquaintance who acted as a go-between. He admitted he supplied the ketamine that killed Perry.

Dr. Mark Chavez: another physician. He agreed to plead guilty and cooperated with prosecutors, including surrendering his medical license.

'These defendants cared more about profiting off of Mr. Perry than caring for his well-being... This case... send a clear message that we will hold drug-dealers accountable for the deaths they cause.'

- U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada

What happened and when

• September 30, 2023 - Per federal court filings, after hearing Perry wanted ketamine, Dr. Plasencia contacted Dr. Chavez to buy some so he could resell it to Perry. In a text to Chavez, Plasencia allegedly wrote: 'I wonder how much this moron will pay.' Chavez sold Plasencia at least four vials of liquid ketamine, ketamine lozenges, syringes, and gloves. Plasencia then left the drugs with assistant Kenneth Iwamasa and allegedly taught him how to inject Perry.
• October 2, 2023 - Iwamasa texted Plasencia asking for more vials. That same day, Plasencia pinged Chavez for another ketamine pickup aimed at Perry.
• October 8–10, 2023 - Plasencia sold more vials to Iwamasa and met with both him and Perry at multiple spots, including Long Beach, where he allegedly injected Perry with ketamine inside a car. On October 10, Iwamasa reached out to Erik Fleming to get more vials; Fleming then contacted supplier Jasveen 'Ketamine Queen' Sangha.
• October 14, 2023 - After giving Perry and Iwamasa samples the day before, Fleming drove to Perry’s home for cash, went to Sangha’s stash house and bought 25 vials, then returned to Perry’s to deliver them.
• October 23, 2023 - Iwamasa texted Fleming: 'Can we do the same as last time over the next two days?' Fleming went to Perry’s house to collect money.
• October 24, 2023 - Fleming bought another 25 vials from Sangha and dropped them at Perry’s home.
• October 25–27, 2023 - Court docs say Iwamasa administered Perry at least six ketamine injections across these three days.
• October 28, 2023 - Perry was found unresponsive in the hot tub at his Los Angeles home and was pronounced dead later that day. Prosecutors allege Iwamasa injected multiple doses sourced via Fleming and Sangha, causing Perry’s death and serious bodily injury. They also say Plasencia provided the syringes. That same day, Sangha allegedly told Fleming to cut ties with Perry and delete digital evidence.
• October 30, 2023 - Fleming texted Sangha asking how long ketamine stays in a person’s system, noting a three-month tox screening would be done on Perry.
• December 2023 - The L.A. County Medical Examiner ruled Perry’s death an accident caused by the acute effects of ketamine, with drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine also listed as contributing factors. The report noted Perry had been receiving ketamine infusions for depression and anxiety — but his last clinical infusion was more than a week before he died.
• May 2024 - LAPD confirmed a new investigation into how Perry obtained the ketamine in his system.
• August 7–8, 2024 - Pleas start rolling in. On August 7, Iwamasa pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute ketamine causing death and admitted he repeatedly injected Perry without medical training, including on the day Perry died. On August 8, Fleming pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine resulting in death, admitting he supplied the fatal ketamine.
• August 15, 2024 - Federal charges and two arrests. The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced arrests of Dr. Plasencia and Sangha for conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Additional counts: for Sangha — maintaining a drug-involved premises, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute ketamine, and five counts of ketamine distribution; for Plasencia — seven counts of ketamine distribution and two counts of altering/falsifying records tied to the federal probe. Prosecutors also named two more defendants already charged: Fleming and Iwamasa, plus Dr. Chavez, who agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine.
• August 30, 2024 - Dr. Chavez appeared in court after reaching a deal to plead guilty and cooperate. He did not enter a plea that day (the hearing schedule didn’t allow it). He agreed to give up his medical license. His lawyer said he was remorseful and is cooperating fully.
• June 16, 2025 - Plasencia reached a plea deal with the DOJ, agreeing to plead guilty to four distribution counts (Counts Six, Eight, Nine, and Ten of a superseding indictment). He faced up to 40 years. Prosecutors said they would recommend a two-level guidelines reduction, which could shave years off. Chavez and Iwamasa, who had already submitted guilty pleas, were slated for fall 2025 sentencings.
• July 23, 2025 - Plasencia formally pleaded guilty to four counts of ketamine distribution. His attorney said he was profoundly remorseful, accepting responsibility, and would surrender his medical license. He remained free on bond ahead of December 3, 2025 sentencing, still facing up to 40 years. He also acknowledged his failure to protect Perry and called for stricter oversight and clear protocols for at-home ketamine treatment.
• September 3, 2025 - Sangha pleaded guilty to five federal charges: three counts of ketamine distribution, one count of distribution resulting in death, and one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises. Sentencing was set for December 10.
• December 3, 2025 - Plasencia was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison (nearly 2.5 years) and two years of supervised release.
• April 8, 2026 - Sangha was sentenced to 15 years in prison for selling the ketamine that killed Perry. In court, she called her actions horrible decisions, not mistakes. Perry’s stepmother, Debbie Perry, told the court the pain heaped on the family is irreversible. His stepfather, journalist Keith Morrison, said the family lives with daily, grinding sadness and that Perry should have had another act — or two.

What it all adds up to

What began as a confusing toxicology wrinkle — ketamine present despite a clinic infusion more than a week earlier — unraveled into a chain of texts, handoffs, and injections stretching from a stash house to a car in Long Beach to Perry’s home. By the end, five people were charged at the federal level, three pleaded guilty before trial, and two received substantial prison time: 30 months for Plasencia and 15 years for Sangha. Chavez and Iwamasa entered pleas earlier and were slated for sentencings in fall 2025.

It is grim, specific, and frankly, a preventable tragedy that exposed how vulnerable the booming at-home ketamine space can be when basic medical guardrails get tossed aside.