A second medical professional has been sentenced by a US court for his involvement in the chain of events that led to the tragic death of Friends star Matthew Perry.
Eight-Month Confinement for Drug Conspiracy
Dr Mark Chavez was sentenced on Tuesday to eight months of home confinement after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine in October 2024. United States District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett also ordered him to complete 300 hours of community service.
Prosecutors detailed that Chavez had fraudulently obtained the ketamine by submitting a prescription in a patient's name without their knowledge or consent. He then sold the controlled substance to another doctor, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who subsequently provided it to the actor in the weeks before his death.
A Chain of Guilty Pleas
Chavez's sentencing follows that of Dr. Plasencia, who received a more severe penalty of 30 months in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of distributing ketamine. During an emotional court hearing, Plasencia broke down in tears, apologising directly to Perry's family.
"I should have protected him," Plasencia told the court. "I failed Matthew Perry... I’m just so sorry." He added that he would one day have to explain to his own young son "about the time I didn't protect another mother's son."
Family Impact and Judicial Condemnation
Ahead of Plasencia's sentencing, Perry's father, John, and stepmother, Debbie, submitted a powerful victim impact statement to Judge Garnett. Their letter questioned the doctor's motives, stating: "Your motives? I can't imagine. A doctor whose life is devoted to helping people?"
Judge Garnett was unequivocal in her condemnation, telling Plasencia: "You and others helped Mr Perry on the road to such an ending by continuing to feed his ketamine addiction. You exploited Mr Perry's addiction for your own profit."
Matthew Perry, the beloved 54-year-old actor, was found drowned in the hot tub at his Los Angeles home in October 2023. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office later confirmed his death was caused by the "acute effects of ketamine."
Plasencia and Chavez are among five individuals who have pleaded guilty to charges related to supplying drugs to the actor. The group includes British woman Jasveen Sangha, 42, who has been described in reports as a "ketamine queen." The case highlights ongoing legal repercussions from the star's untimely death.
