Matthew Perry’s Doctor Wrote In Text ‘Let’s See How Much This Moron Will Pay’ For Ketamine Days Before Actor’s Overdose Death

Federal authorities have arrested five individuals in connection with a drug investigation surrounding the death of Friends actor Matthew Perry. The arrests, announced Thursday by the U.S. Department of Justice, shed light on what officials described as a “broad underground criminal network” that allegedly exploited Perry’s addiction struggles.

U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada revealed that the network included Perry’s live-in assistant, intermediaries, two medical doctors, and a major drug supplier known as “The Ketamine Queen.” The primary defendants, Dr. Salvador Plasencia and alleged drug trafficker Jasveen Sangha, face charges related to obtaining and selling ketamine to Perry.

Three other individuals – Dr. Mark Chavez, Perry’s assistant Kenneth Iwamasa and Erik Fleming, described as a “broker” – have already pleaded guilty to various charges in the case.

Authorities allege that over a two-month period in fall 2023, Plasencia and Sangha distributed approximately 20 vials of ketamine to Perry, receiving $55,000 in cash. Text messages reveal Plasencia mocking Perry. “Let’s see how much this moron will pay,” he wrote in one text.

The investigation uncovered disturbing details, including an incident where Plasencia allegedly injected Perry with illegal ketamine despite observing bad reactions. Officials also claim the defendants were aware of the unethical and illegal nature of their actions, with evidence of attempts to cover their tracks after Perry’s death.

DEA Administrator Anne Milgram emphasized the exploitation of Perry’s vulnerability, stating, “Matthew Perry’s journey began with unscrupulous doctors who abused their position of trust because they saw him as a payday.”

Perry, 54, was found dead in his Los Angeles home on October 28, 2023. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death an accidental overdose, citing “acute effects of ketamine” as the primary cause.

The beloved actor, known for his role as Chandler Bing on the hit sitcom Friends, had reportedly been undergoing ketamine therapy for depression and anxiety prior to his death.

If convicted, Plasencia faces a maximum sentence of 120 years in federal prison, while Sangha could receive a minimum of 10 years to life.

Estrada emphasized the gravity of the charges, stating, “We are sending a clear message. If you are in the business of selling dangerous drugs, we will hold you accountable for the deaths that you cause.”

The case remains ongoing, with a trial date for Plasencia and Sangha tentatively set for October.