A California doctor who admitted to illegally selling large quantities of ketamine to actor Matthew Perry in the weeks before his death is scheduled to be sentenced in a Los Angeles federal court on Wednesday. Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 44, will be the first of five defendants to be sentenced in the case connected to the "Friends" star's tragic overdose.
Exploitation of a Struggling Addict
Court documents reveal a disturbing picture of exploitation. Perry had been receiving ketamine, a surgical anesthetic, legally as part of a treatment for depression. However, when his regular physician refused to provide the increased amounts he sought, Perry turned to Dr. Plasencia.
Prosecutors state that Plasencia knowingly sold the drug to Perry, fully aware of the actor's long and public battle with addiction. In a damning text message to another doctor, Plasencia referred to Perry as a "moron" who could be exploited for financial gain.
"Rather than do what was best for Mr. Perry — someone who had struggled with addiction for most of his life — defendant sought to exploit Perry’s medical vulnerability for profit," federal prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memo.
A Plea Deal and a Potential Prison Term
Dr. Salvador Plasencia pleaded guilty in July to four counts of distribution of ketamine. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to drop five other charges. The plea agreement did not include any guaranteed sentence, leaving the decision entirely to U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett.
While prosecutors are recommending a three-year prison term, the judge has the legal authority to impose a sentence of up to 40 years. It is important to note that Plasencia was not charged with providing the specific dose that led to Perry's death on October 28, 2023.
Before the sentencing, members of Matthew Perry's family, including his mother Suzanne Perry and stepfather, journalist Keith Morrison, will have the opportunity to address the court. They attended Wednesday's hearing and may deliver victim impact statements.
Defence Appeals for Leniency
In their submission to the court, Plasencia's defence lawyers painted a sympathetic portrait of their client. They described a man who rose from poverty to become a dedicated physician, beloved by many patients who provided testimonials on his behalf.
The attorneys called his actions with Perry "reckless" and "the biggest mistake of his life." They expressed his profound remorse, stating, "He has already lost his medical license, his clinic, and his career."
Facing intense media scrutiny and threats, Plasencia has moved with his wife and two-year-old son to Arizona for their safety. His lawyers argued that imprisonment is unnecessary, citing the personal and professional ruin he has already endured.
Four other defendants who have reached plea deals in the case will be sentenced at separate hearings in the coming months. Matthew Perry was 54 years old at the time of his death, having struggled with addiction for decades following his rise to global fame as Chandler Bing on the iconic television series "Friends."
