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Sentencing in Perry case
A federal judge in Los Angeles on Dec. 3, 2025 sentenced Dr. Salvador Plasencia to 30 months in prison for illegally supplying ketamine to actor Matthew Perry in the weeks before Perry's October 2023 overdose death.
“He was sentenced in Los Angeles to 2½ years in prison, two years of probation and a $5,600 fine.”
The sentence included two years of supervised release and a $5,600 fine, and Plasencia was remanded to federal custody immediately after sentencing.
Plasencia pleaded guilty in July to multiple counts tied to distributing ketamine.
He surrendered his California medical license prior to sentencing.
This is the first sentencing in the larger prosecution tied to Perry's death.
Court findings on supplier
Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett told the court that, while Plasencia did not administer the fatal dose, his conduct “helped Mr. Perry on the road to such an ending” by feeding the actor’s ketamine addiction and exploiting him for profit.
Prosecutors portrayed Plasencia as a provider who repeatedly sold ketamine to Perry even after concerns about his vulnerability, and they pointed to text messages — shown in court filings — that prosecutors say indicate a profit motive.
Sentencing filings and rulings therefore focused less on a single fatal act than on a pattern of supplying a vulnerable patient.
Sentencing and defense arguments
Plasencia apologized in court and acknowledged failure, saying in sentencing remarks that he had "failed Mr. Perry" and his family.
“Plasencia pleaded guilty in June to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and related offenses and told the court, 'I failed Mr. Perry. I failed his family. I should have protected him.'”
His legal team argued he was attempting to treat Perry's depression and sought leniency, with some defense filings asking for probation or minimal prison.
Judges and prosecutors rejected the treatment narrative, citing texts and evidence of repeat sales.
Prosecutors sought a roughly three-year sentence while the defense asked for little or no prison time, and the judge imposed a sentence close to prosecutors' request but below the statutory maximums on the counts.
Federal probe into ketamine supply
Reporting across outlets places Plasencia's actions within a wider federal investigation that has produced additional guilty pleas.
Authorities say Plasencia supplied multiple vials of ketamine in a short period, and other defendants - including a person nicknamed 'Ketamine Queen' and Perry's assistant - have pleaded guilty in related counts and will be sentenced separately.
Several outlets list the other named defendants and allege a modest commercial operation involving multiple suppliers and repeat sales in the weeks before Perry's death.
Courtroom coverage and reactions
Victim impact and the courtroom atmosphere drew strong attention.
“Perry’s family — including his mother, stepmother and two half sisters — delivered tearful victim impact statements about the loss.”
Perry's family delivered emotional statements.
Several outlets noted that Plasencia was led from the courtroom in handcuffs as relatives reacted.
Coverage tone varies: mainstream outlets emphasize family impact and legal facts while tabloids amplify scathing labels and emotional language.
Some outlets focus on procedural or licensing details, such as the surrender of Plasencia's medical license and a past limited reopening.
Across sources, reporters consistently attribute strong victim statements and visible courtroom emotion to the family and observers rather than to unnamed parties.