September 3rd 2024.
A significant development has taken place in the United States regarding the tragic death of beloved Friends actor, Matthew Perry. Two of the five individuals charged in connection with his passing, Doctor Salvador Plasencia and alleged drug dealer Jasveen Sangha - also known as the "Ketamine Queen" by prosecutors - will be standing trial together. The trial is set to commence on March 4, 2025, with a pretrial hearing scheduled for February 19.
Plasencia and Sangha were arrested on August 15 and indicted on various charges, including falsifying medical records and conspiracy to distribute. Despite these allegations, both have pleaded not guilty. The other three individuals charged - Dr. Mark Chavez, Perry's personal assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, and Perry's acquaintance Erik Fleming - have reached plea agreements and are cooperating with prosecutors. Fleming and Iwamasa have sentencing dates set for October and November, respectively.
As of now, Sangha remains in federal custody, while Plasencia is out on bond, according to the Department of Justice. Perry's untimely passing in October 2023, at the age of 54, was determined to be a result of "acute effects" of ketamine and subsequent drowning, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office autopsy report. His lifeless body was discovered floating face down in his hot tub at his Pacific Palisades residence.
Plasencia is facing one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, seven counts of distribution of ketamine, and two counts of altering and falsifying documents or records related to the federal investigation, according to the US Attorney's office. Allegedly, he sold vials of ketamine - obtained from Chavez - to Perry and Iwamasa outside the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose in the weeks leading up to Perry's death. Plasencia is also accused of teaching Iwamasa how to inject Perry with the drug and personally administering it to him, despite being aware of the actor's spiraling ketamine addiction.
If found guilty, Plasencia could face up to 10 years in federal prison for each ketamine-related count and up to 20 years for each falsification count. While ketamine does have legitimate medical uses, its popularity as a party drug has increased in recent years. According to Dr. David Mahjoubi, who runs one of the many ketamine clinics that have emerged, the drug has become popular in Hollywood's party scene. In his clinic, ketamine is used in controlled doses and environments to treat mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. However, doctors have the discretion to use medications for off-label purposes as long as they follow acceptable guidelines and do not cause harm.
In the case of Perry, when the ketamine clinic he was attending refused to increase his dosage, he turned to Plasencia and later, due to the cost, to Sangha. Sangha, who authorities describe as the "Ketamine Queen" of North Hollywood, ran a drug-selling operation from her home. She allegedly sold vials of ketamine to Fleming on Perry's behalf, according to Fleming's plea agreement. Prosecutors also claim that Sangha was aware of the dangers of ketamine and continued to sell it even after being informed that the drug contributed to a man's overdose death in August 2019.
During the search of Sangha's residence, federal agents and LAPD detectives found over 70 vials of ketamine, along with other illegally obtained drugs, according to a press release from the US attorney's office. She is facing serious charges, including conspiracy to distribute ketamine, maintaining a drug-involved premises, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and ketamine, and distribution of ketamine. If convicted, Sangha could potentially face life in prison. The use of illegal drugs, like ketamine, continues to be a problem in society, and it is essential for individuals to seek help from legitimate sources rather than turning to dangerous and illegal means.
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