A California doctor who sold ketamine to Friends star Matthew Perry has been sentenced to eight months of home detention and three years of supervised release, marking him as the second individual sentenced in the actor's overdose case. Dr. Mark Chavez was implicated in a network of five people, including another doctor and a dealer known as the 'Ketamine Queen,' all of whom pleaded guilty to drug-related charges stemming from Perry's death in 2023.
Chavez admitted to obtained ketamine from his clinic and a wholesale distributor through a fraudulent prescription, which he later sold to Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who ultimately provided the drug to Perry.
Earlier this month, Plasencia was sentenced to 30 months in prison. The extensive federal investigation into Perry’s death has revealed how the actor acquired ketamine through an underground network in Hollywood. As a surgical anesthetic, ketamine also serves as a treatment for conditions such as depression, anxiety, and pain; however, Perry, who struggled with addiction and mental health issues, sought more than his prescribed amount, leading to his connection with the illicit drug ring.
Investigators found a high concentration of ketamine in Perry’s system at the time of his death. Prosecutors disclosed that Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, collaborated with Chavez and Plasencia, feeding over $50,000 worth of ketamine to Perry in the weeks leading up to his tragic passing. Within his plea agreement, Chavez revealed details of fraudulent prescriptions submitted and discussed exploiting Perry’s addiction for monetary gain with his accomplices.
Chavez also surrendered his medical license and passport as part of his plea deal. The remaining individuals in the case are expected to be sentenced in the months ahead, as the investigation continues to unfold.}
Chavez admitted to obtained ketamine from his clinic and a wholesale distributor through a fraudulent prescription, which he later sold to Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who ultimately provided the drug to Perry.
Earlier this month, Plasencia was sentenced to 30 months in prison. The extensive federal investigation into Perry’s death has revealed how the actor acquired ketamine through an underground network in Hollywood. As a surgical anesthetic, ketamine also serves as a treatment for conditions such as depression, anxiety, and pain; however, Perry, who struggled with addiction and mental health issues, sought more than his prescribed amount, leading to his connection with the illicit drug ring.
Investigators found a high concentration of ketamine in Perry’s system at the time of his death. Prosecutors disclosed that Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, collaborated with Chavez and Plasencia, feeding over $50,000 worth of ketamine to Perry in the weeks leading up to his tragic passing. Within his plea agreement, Chavez revealed details of fraudulent prescriptions submitted and discussed exploiting Perry’s addiction for monetary gain with his accomplices.
Chavez also surrendered his medical license and passport as part of his plea deal. The remaining individuals in the case are expected to be sentenced in the months ahead, as the investigation continues to unfold.}
