Matthew Perry Death Case: First Defendant Faces Judge. AP Photo
A Los Angeles doctor who illegally sold ketamine to Matthew Perry has been sentenced to 2½ years in federal prison. The decision came during an emotional court hearing connected to the “Friends” star’s overdose death in 2023.
Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett stressed that Dr. Salvador Plasencia did not supply the fatal dose. However, she made clear that his role in enabling Perry’s addiction was serious. “You exploited Mr. Perry’s addiction for your own profit,” she told him.
Plasencia, 44, also received two years of probation and a $5,600 fine. He was taken into custody immediately, as his mother wept in the courtroom.
Family Breaks Down in Court
Victim impact statements were delivered by Perry’s mother, stepmother, and half-sisters. They described their deep grief and the global sense of loss.
“My brother’s death turned my world upside down,” said sister Madeline Morrison. She called Perry “everyone’s favorite friend” and urged compassion for celebrity mental health struggles. “They’re people. They’re human beings with families,” she said.
Perry’s mother Suzanne spoke firmly to the doctor. She recalled her son’s strength and resilience through addiction. “There is nothing moronic about that man,” she said. “This was a bad thing you did.”
Plasencia later wept while apologizing to the family. He said he feared the day he would have to tell his young son “about the time I didn’t protect another mother’s son.”
Prosecutors vs. Defense
Prosecutors accused Plasencia of acting like “a drug dealer in a white coat.” They highlighted text messages where he called Perry a “moron” who could be exploited.
They pushed for a three-year sentence, while the defense argued for minimal jail time. His lawyers portrayed him as a once-respected physician who made disastrous choices driven by greed.
They said the case reflected “a perfect storm of bad decision-making.” His supporters insisted he genuinely cared for patients and rose from poverty to become a doctor.
The judge ultimately went beyond a recommended eight- to 14-month term, citing the danger posed by his conduct. “Mr. Plasencia kept pushing it,” she said. “He literally was offering to sell ketamine.”
A Long Struggle and Ongoing Case
Perry legally used ketamine for depression treatment. When his primary doctor refused higher doses, he turned to Plasencia for illegal access. The actor died in October 2023 at age 54.
This sentencing is the first among five defendants who have pleaded guilty in connection with the case. The remaining four will face separate hearings in the coming months.
Perry’s addiction struggle began during his years on NBC’s “Friends.” His fame as Chandler Bing made him a household name, but it also came with lifelong battles he openly shared with fans.
As the courtroom emptied, his family’s words lingered — a reminder of the star who made millions laugh, yet wrestled quietly with pain.
This news has been Updated on Dec. 04, 2025.
