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Santa Monica doctor charged in Matthew Perry overdose agrees to plead guilty
"Friends" star Matthew Perry died Oct. 28, 2023, in his Los Angeles home.
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Phillip Faraone
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Getty Images
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Topline:
A Santa Monica doctor, charged in the drug-overdose death of actor Matthew Perry, has agreed to plead guilty to four felony charges for distributing ketamine.
What do we know? Dr. Salvador Plasencia admitted to knowingly distributing ketamine and acting without medical reasoning, according to the plea deal with federal prosecutors filed Monday.
What’s Plasencia accused of? In the plea, Plasencia is accused of selling Perry four vials of liquid ketamine and an open box of ketamine lozenges. Plasencia is also accused of traveling to Perry’s residence, injected him with the drug and leaving at least one vial with Perry’s personal assistant.
What punishment is he facing? The federal charges carry up to 40 years in federal prison and a $2 million fine. Plasencia will also be required to make restitution to Perry’s estate, according to his plea agreement. Plasencia’s attorneys did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Who else is involved? Plasencia is among five people charged in Perry’s death, including Dr. Mark Chavez, who pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.
Background: Perry died Oct. 28, 2023, in his Los Angeles home. The L.A. County medical examiner determined the cause was “acute effects of ketamine.”
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