Judge Sentences Doctor Salvador Plasencia to 30 Months for Supplying Lethal Ketamine to Matthew Perry

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.

“Salvador Plasencia pleaded guilty to four counts of distribution of ketamine”

ABC News

The sentence included two years of supervised release and a $5,600 fine, and Plasencia was remanded to federal custody immediately after sentencing.

ABC News

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.

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.

abc.net.au

Sentencing filings and rulings therefore focused less on a single fatal act than on a pattern of supplying a vulnerable patient.

Plasencia apologized in court and acknowledged failure, saying in sentencing remarks that he had "failed Mr. Perry" and his family.

“A federal hearing focused on Dr”

AP News

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.

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.

BBC

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.

Victim impact and the courtroom atmosphere drew strong attention.

“Updated on: December 3, 2025 / 1:34 PM PST/ CBS LA One of the two doctors charged with distributing ketamine to"Friends" starMatthew Perry, weeks before his overdose death, has been sentenced”

CBS News

Perry's family delivered emotional statements.

CBS News

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.