Matthew Perry's former doctor pleads guilty to ketamine distribution in connection with actor's death

Salvador Plasencia, one of the doctors accused of providing ketamine to deceased actor Matthew Perry, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to four counts of ketamine distribution, according to federal prosecutors.

Plasencia, 43, of Santa Monica, California, faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and a $2 million fine. He intends to surrender his medical license within the next six weeks, CNN reported. Plasencia will remain free on bond until his sentencing hearing, which has been scheduled for December 3, the US Attorney's Office for the Central District of California said in a press release.

The doctor is one of five individuals who have been charged in relation to Perry's October 2023 death. The beloved "Friends" star died at age 54 due to "acute effects" of ketamine and subsequent drowning, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office autopsy report.

Prosecutors said that an underground network of drug suppliers and sellers distributed the ketamine that killed Perry, who was discovered dead in a hot tub at his home in the Pacific Palisades. Perry was a known struggling addict.

"Dr. Plasencia is profoundly remorseful for the treatment decisions he made while providing ketamine to Matthew Perry," said Debra White, the doctor's attorney, in a statement issued to SF Gate. "He is fully accepting responsibility by pleading guilty to drug distribution. Dr. Plasencia intends to voluntarily surrender his medical license, acknowledging his failure to protect Mr. Perry, a patient who was especially vulnerable due to addiction."

Plasencia pleaded guilty to all four counts before Judge Sherlyn Peace Garnett in Los Angeles federal court. He had been slated to go on trial in August. Plasencia joins four additional defendants in entering guilty pleas.