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Criminal Justice

Matthew Perry’s former assistant sentenced to more than 3 years in prison for ketamine-related death

A man with light-tone skin has clear-framed glasses and a gray facial hair.
Matthew Perry in 2022.
(
Phillip Faraone
/
Getty Images
)

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Topline:

Matthew Perry’s former live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, was sentenced Wednesday to three years and five months in prison for his role in the actor's overdose death. He was also fined $10,000.

What we know: Iwamasa injected Perry with ketamine several times in October 2023, including three times on the day the Friends actor died, according to the plea agreement. The agreement also says Iwamasa found Perry unconscious at least twice in October 2023.

Background: Perry died in October 2023 in his Pacific Palisades home. The L.A. County medical examiner determined the cause was “acute effects of ketamine.” According to the plea agreement, Sangha worked with alleged drug dealer Erik Fleming to distribute ketamine to Perry. On Oct. 28, 2023, Perry's personal assistant injected the actor with at least three shots of ketamine provided by Sangha.

Who else has been sentenced? Iwamasa is the fifth person sentenced in Perry’s overdose death. For their roles in Perry’s death, San Diego physician Mark Chavez was sentenced to eight months of house arrest, along with community service. And Santa Monica-based doctor Salvador Plasencia was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in federal prison. Drug dealer Jasveen Sangha was sentenced to 15 years in prison, and Erik Fleming was sentenced to two years.

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