A Los Angeles judge has sentenced Erik Fleming, a licensed drug addiction counsellor, to two years in prison for his role in the death of Friends actor Matthew Perry. Fleming, 56, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution resulting in death after acting as a middleman who delivered the doses that killed Perry in October 2023.
During sentencing, Fleming expressed remorse, saying: “It’s truly a nightmare I can’t wake up from. I’m haunted by the mistakes I made.” His cooperation led to a reduced sentence; without it, federal guidelines would have recommended around four years.
Perry, who had long struggled with addiction, was found dead in the Jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home. He had legally used ketamine for depression but sought more from other sources when his doctor refused. Fleming connected Perry to Jasveen Sangha, known as the “Ketamine Queen”, who was sentenced to 15 years. Others charged include two doctors and Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa.
Fleming obtained ketamine from Sangha, marked up the price, and delivered it to Perry’s home. One delivery included 25 vials for $6,000 four days before Perry’s death. Iwamasa injected Perry on 28 October 2023; hours later, he found the actor dead. A medical examiner ruled the cause as acute effects of ketamine, with drowning as a secondary factor.
