(Scypre.com) – Federal and local law enforcement officials announced multiple arrests in connection to the overdose death of actor Matthew Perry. U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, Martin Estrada, revealed that five individuals, including two doctors, were arrested and charged with multiple counts. Perry, known for his role in “Friends,” tragically died on October 28 at the age of 54 after an apparent drowning in his hot tub in the Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles.
The arrested individuals are Jasveen Sangha, 41, also known as “The Ketamine Queen” from North Hollywood; Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 42, also known as “Dr. P” from Santa Monica; Eric Fleming, 54, from Hawthorne; Kenneth Iwamasa, 59, from Toluca Lake; and Dr. Mark Chavez, 54, from San Diego. According to Estrada, the defendants distributed approximately “20 vials for approximately $50,000 in cash” to Perry through his live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, who was responsible for distributing the drug to Perry. During another transaction, the dealers allegedly exploited Perry by selling “50 vials of ketamine for approximately $11,000 in cash.”
Kenneth Iwamasa, who served as Perry’s personal assistant, admitted to conspiring with Sangha, Fleming, and Plasencia to illegally obtain and distribute ketamine to Perry. Court documents revealed that Iwamasa repeatedly injected Perry with ketamine without proper medical training, including several injections on the day Perry died. On August 7, Iwamasa pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death and has already entered a plea agreement.
Sangha and Plasencia face one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Additionally, Sangha is charged with maintaining a drug-involved premises, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute ketamine, and five counts of distribution of ketamine. If convicted, Sangha could face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life imprisonment. Plasencia faces up to 10 years in prison for each ketamine-related count and up to 20 years for each count of records falsification.
Eric Fleming pleaded guilty on August 8 to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death. Fleming admitted in court documents that he was responsible for distributing the ketamine that led to Perry’s death and has also agreed to a plea deal.
Dr. Mark Chavez, based in San Diego, agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Chavez admitted to selling ketamine to Plasencia, including some that he had diverted from his former ketamine clinic.
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that the investigation into Matthew Perry’s death is ongoing, in collaboration with the DEA and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. According to the Associated Press, the authorities are working to determine the reason behind the high level of ketamine found in Perry’s system at the time of his death.
Perry’s autopsy, released in December, revealed trace amounts of ketamine in his stomach, with his death attributed to the “acute effects of ketamine.” The report also noted coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine as contributing factors. Other drugs, including alcohol, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, PCP, and fentanyl, were not detected in Perry’s system. Despite the presence of prescription medications and loose pills at the scene, no foul play was suspected. Perry was laid to rest on November 3 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles.