Erik Fleming, a licensed drug addiction counsellor, has been sentenced to two years in prison by a Los Angeles judge for his role in the death of Friends actor Matthew Perry. The 56-year-old acted as a middleman, delivering the ketamine doses that killed Perry in October 2023. Fleming pleaded guilty in 2024 to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution resulting in death.
During the sentencing hearing, Fleming expressed remorse, stating: “It’s truly a nightmare I can’t wake up from. I’m haunted by the mistakes I made.” He is the fourth defendant sentenced in the case; five people have pleaded guilty. Perry, who had a long history of addiction and mental health struggles, was found dead in his Jacuzzi. He had been using ketamine legally for depression but sought more from other sources when his doctor would not supply the desired amounts.
Fleming introduced Perry to Jasveen Sangha, known as the “Ketamine Queen”, who was sentenced to 15 years. Fleming cooperated with authorities and gave up Sangha immediately, which reduced his potential sentence from around four years. His defence had asked for three months in prison and nine months in residential treatment, citing his efforts to atone.
Prosecutors acknowledged his cooperation but argued that his role as a drug counsellor who sold illegal street drugs to a public figure with a known addiction should count against him. Fleming admitted he procured the ketamine for money and because he thought he was helping a friend, saying: “I never contemplated the worst possible outcome. This grievous failure will haunt me forever.”
Fleming obtained ketamine from Sangha, marked up the price, and delivered it to Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa. Four days before Perry’s death, Fleming delivered 25 vials for $6,000. Iwamasa injected Perry on 28 October 2023; hours later, Perry was found dead. The medical examiner cited acute effects of ketamine with drowning as a secondary cause.
