Mark Chavez, one of the two doctors charged in connection to Matthew Perry’s death, accepted a plea deal and could face up to 10 years in prison upon sentencing, according to the Associated Press.
Chavez appeared at the Roybal Federal Courthouse in Los Angeles on Friday. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute, after he admitted to selling ketamine to Dr. Salvador Placensia, who allegedly gave the drugs to Perry’s longtime assistant, Kenneth “Kenny” Iwamasa.
Iwamasa previously admitted he was the person who administered the fatal dose of ketamine to the “Friends” star on Oct. 28, 2023.
Chavez, seen above on Aug. 30, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute ketamine.AFP via Getty Images
US Magistrate Judge Jean Rosenbluth ruled that the doctor remains free on a $50,000 unsecured bond on several conditions — one of them being that Chavez gives up his passport and medical license.
Chavez’s attorney, Matt Binninger, said the doctor is looking to do “everything in his power to right the wrong” that resulted in Perry’s death.
“He is doing everything in his power to cooperate, to help in this situation, and he’s incredibly remorseful,” he told the outlet, adding that “it’s a shame” what happened to the “universally beloved” Perry.
The doctor allegedly sold the anesthetic drug to Dr. Salvador Placensia, who in turn, delivered it to Perry’s longtime assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa (pictured above in November 2023).APEX / MEGA
US Magistrate Judge Jean Rosenbluth allowed Chavez to remain free with several conditions such as giving up his passport and medical license.AFP via Getty Images
The attorney further assured that his client will “do the right thing” and would be “cooperating going forward.”
Binninger did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
Perry underwent ketamine therapy for years to treat his depression. He once described the effects of the drug as “being hit in the head with a giant happy shovel” in his 2022 memoir, “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing.”
He died from the “acute effects of ketamine use” which led to his drowning.
Perry died from “acute effects of ketamine” which led to his drowning on Oct. 28, 2023.AFP via Getty Images
Five people in total have been arrested and charged in connection to the actor’s tragic death.Getty Images
In addition to Chavez and Iwamasa, authorities also arrested Placensia, friend Erik Fleming, and proclaimed “Ketamine Queen” Jasveen Sangha for the actor’s death.
They were charged with conspiracy to distribute ketamine, distribution of ketamine resulting in death, possession with intent to distribute, as well as altering and falsifying records.
“These defendants took advantage of Mr. Perry’s addiction issues to enrich themselves. They knew what they were doing was wrong. They knew what they were doing was risking great danger to Mr. Perry, but they did it anyways. In the end, these defendants were more interested in profiting off Mr. Perry than caring for his wellbeing,” US Attorney Martin Estrada said during a press conference, following their arrests.
