Dr. Mark Chavez has pleaded guilty in a Los Angeles court to conspiracy charges linked to the drug-related death of actor Matthew Perry. The 54-year-old doctor changed his plea regarding his involvement in distributing the surgical anaesthetic ketamine, as reported by BBC.
Chavez operated a ketamine clinic and sold ketamine lozenges to Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who supplied the drug to Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing on NBC's Friends. Perry was found dead in his backyard jacuzzi in southern California in October 2023. A post-mortem examination revealed a high concentration of ketamine in his system, concluding that the acute effects of the drug were responsible for his death.
In his plea agreement, Chavez admitted to obtaining ketamine from both his former clinic and a wholesale distributor through fraudulent prescriptions. Prosecutors indicated that Perry's assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, collaborated with the two doctors to provide Perry with over $50,000 worth of ketamine in the weeks leading up to his death. Text messages exchanged between the doctors revealed their discussions about pricing, with one message referring to Perry as a "moron" and questioning how much he would pay, the BBC report added.
Chavez's plea allows him to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for cooperating in the ongoing investigation. He could still face up to 10 years in prison. "He has accepted responsibility. He is cooperating," his attorney stated in court.
As part of the plea agreement, Chavez has surrendered his passport and agreed to immediately relinquish his medical license. He remains free on bail until his sentencing, scheduled for April 2, 2025.
The investigation into Perry's death has uncovered a troubling narrative about the misuse of ketamine, which is used to treat depression and anxiety. Perry, who struggled with addiction for years, sought ketamine therapy but fell into a dependency that led him to seek illicit sources of the drug. The case highlights how a controversial treatment spiraled into tragedy.
Chavez's admission before U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett acknowledged his role in the dangerous distribution network that contributed to Perry's death. Prosecutors continue to build their case against Plasencia and Jasveen Sangha, known as the "ketamine queen," who are believed to have played more significant roles in exploiting Perry's vulnerabilities.
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada previously noted the severity of their actions, providing Perry with dangerous amounts of the drug, knowing his history of addiction. Text messages between Plasencia and Chavez disclosed in court filings further illustrated their illicit operations and intentions.
Chavez’s lawyer, Matthew Binninger, stressed his client's acceptance of responsibility, stating, "Mark entered his plea of guilty, and that’s now public record."
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