Dr. Mark Chavez, Charged In Mattew Perry’s Overdose Death, Pleads Guilty To Ketamine Distribution In Deal With Prosecutors

Mark Chavez became the third of five defendants charged with Matthew Perry‘s fatal drug overdose. 

The San Diego doctor, 54, has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute ketamine in connection with the Friends star’s death. 

Chavez, who remains free on a $50,000 bond, entered the plea deal in Los Angeles Federal Court. 

He is the third person charged with reaching a plea with prosecutors. He faces up to 10 years in prison. 

The sentencing for Chavez is scheduled for April 2, 2025. 

In his plea agreement, the doctor, who runs a ketamine clinic, said he sold the drug to Dr. Salvador Plasencia, another defendant in the case, who is accused of then distributing the ketamine to Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa.

On October 28, 2023, Perry was found dead in his hot tub. Authorities claimed there was no indication of foul play at the time. 

Last December, an autopsy revealed that Perry’s death was caused by “the acute effects of ketamine.”

In a string of texts, Chavez and Plasencia allegedly colluded over how much to charge Perry, writing, “I wonder how much this moron will pay,” and, “[Let’s] find out.”

According to prosecutors, the ringleaders are Plasencia and Jasveen Sangha, a ketamine dealer who is a major distributor in North Hollywood. 

Plasencia has been charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, seven counts of distribution of ketamine and two counts of altering and falsifying documents or records related to a federal investigation.

Sangha has been charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute ketamine and five counts of distribution of ketamine. She has pleaded not guilty.

If convicted, Plasencia faces up to 120 years in prison, and Sangha faces the potential for life imprisonment. They have both pleaded not guilty.

The remaining defendants, Chavez, Iwamasa and Erik Fleming, are cooperating with prosecutors to build a case against Plasencia and Sangha.