• Dr. Salvador Plasencia pleads guilty to four counts of illegal ketamine distribution.
• Perry died from "acute effects of ketamine" on October 28, 2023, at age 54.
• The doctor's plea deal may result in a 40-year prison sentence.
• Three co-defendants have already pleaded guilty, while one has pleaded not guilty.

A California doctor, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, has agreed to plead guilty to four counts of illegal distribution of the drug ketamine, linked to the overdose death of actor Matthew Perry. His plea agreement was announced on June 16, and he faces a statutory maximum sentence of 40 years in federal prison. Plasencia is expected to formally plead guilty in the coming weeks, according to federal prosecutors Los Angeles Times, ABC News, and HuffPost.

Perry was discovered unresponsive in his jacuzzi on October 28, 2023, with an autopsy confirming that ketamine was the primary cause of death, alongside other contributing health issues. The actor was 54 years old and had publicly battled substance abuse for many years. Plasencia, accused of exploiting Perry's struggles, allegedly supplied him with ketamine at inflated prices, reflecting a broader issue of medical professionals participating in illegal drug distribution South China Morning Post, Channel News Asia, and BBC.

In a serious breach of ethics, Plasencia reportedly texted a co-defendant, expressing his eagerness to continue supplying Perry with ketamine. Plasencia's actions were part of a network involving multiple individuals who facilitated Perry's access to the substance in the weeks leading to his tragic death. These individuals include Dr. Mark Chavez, who has already pleaded guilty, and Jasveen Sangha, referred to as the "Ketamine Queen," who is charged with supplying the particular dose that resulted in Perry’s death Reuters, HuffPost, and NPR.

Throughout his life, Perry’s struggles with addiction were well-documented; he had previously spoken openly about his lengthy battle, which included numerous rehabilitation attempts. His passing has raised awareness about the potential dangers of misuse and excessive prescription of substances like ketamine, often prescribed for legitimate medical reasons CBS News, Los Angeles Times, and Bangkok Post.