A doctor involved in the case of Matthew Perry’s overdose death from ketamine is facing sentencing in Los Angeles. Dr. Salvador Plasencia admitted to illegally selling ketamine to the “Friends” star, though not the fatal dose. Perry, who battled addiction, had turned to Plasencia for the drug after his regular doctor refused to provide it in the quantities he desired.
Plasencia, now 44, is expected to receive a three-year prison sentence as per prosecutors’ request, following his guilty plea to distributing ketamine to Perry. The prosecution highlighted Plasencia’s exploitation of Perry’s medical vulnerabilities for profit, contrasting it with the actor’s ongoing struggle with addiction.
While Plasencia’s defense painted a sympathetic picture of a doctor who had lost his career and faced media scrutiny, they argued against imprisonment, citing his remorse and the impact on his family. Plasencia, now residing in Arizona, expressed regret for his actions and emphasized wanting to set a better example for his young son.
The sentencing of Plasencia marks the first in a series of hearings for the five defendants involved in the case. Perry’s family, including his mother Suzanne Perry and stepfather Keith Morrison, may address the court before the sentencing.