Full Analysis Summary
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.
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.
Coverage Differences
Tone and emphasis
Western mainstream outlets (AP News, CBS News, Entertainment Weekly — all Western Mainstream) emphasize the courtroom outcome and formal sentence details — prison term, supervised release, fine, and remand — while entertainment-focused outlets (Variety, The Hollywood Reporter — also Western Mainstream but entertainment beat) highlight Plasencia’s role in supplying Perry and his prior guilty plea and clinic ties. Tabloid and other outlets (The US Sun, The Hollywood Gossip — Western Tabloid) focus on dramatic courtroom images and immediate custody, and some 'Other' sources (primetimer, SSBCrack News) present additional case-formatting details like counts and broader probe context. Each source is reporting the same sentence but with different framing and detail focus.
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.
Coverage Differences
Narrative focus (judge's view vs. prosecutor framing)
Mainstream legal reporting (CNA, AP, The Hollywood Reporter — Western Mainstream/Asian) relays the judge’s language that Plasencia didn’t deliver the fatal dose but "helped" lead Perry to death and notes prosecutors’ sharp characterization (e.g., “a drug dealer in a white coat”). Tabloid and alternative sources (The US Sun — Western Tabloid; oann — Western Alternative) amplify the harsher language and include more graphic descriptions and medical examiner details, such as the medical examiner’s cause-of-death findings, whereas some 'Other' outlets (primetimer) stress the court’s rejection of the treatment defense. Each source attributes the harsher labels to prosecutors or the judge, rather than stating those as undisputed facts.
Sentencing and defense arguments
Plasencia apologized in court and acknowledged failure, saying in sentencing remarks that he had "failed Mr. Perry" and his family.
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.
Coverage Differences
Claimed motive vs. prosecutorial framing
Several sources report Plasencia’s apology and the defense claim that ketamine use was intended as treatment (primetimer, The US Sun, TheWrap). Mainstream legal outlets (AP, CBS, Entertainment Weekly) emphasize the judge’s rejection of that defense and prosecutors’ position that Plasencia exploited Perry for profit. Tabloid outlets emphasize emotional courtroom details and characterize the defense as weak, while 'Other' outlets (primetimer) give more detail on counts, concurrent terms, and sentencing guidelines.
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.
Coverage Differences
Scope and labels of the network
Mainstream outlets (The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, BBC — Western Mainstream) report the factual case details and list co-defendants, while tabloids or alternative sources (oann, TheWrap, SSBCrack News — Western Alternative/Other) use more sensational labels like 'Ketamine Queen' and emphasize alleged market-like behavior. 'Other' outlets (primetimer, SSBCrack News) frame the episode as part of a broader federal probe into an underground Hollywood drug network. Each attribution cites court filings or plea statements rather than asserting unnamed allegations as fact.
Courtroom coverage and reactions
Victim impact and the courtroom atmosphere drew strong attention.
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.
Coverage Differences
Tone and emotional emphasis
Mainstream outlets (AP, CBS, CNA — Western Mainstream/Asian) report on family victim impact statements and emotional courtroom scenes factually, while tabloid outlets (The US Sun, The Hollywood Gossip — Western Tabloid) emphasize dramatic labels used by the family ('greedy jackals', 'greedy') and courtroom theatrics. 'Other' outlets (primetimer, The Hollywood Gossip) also report on procedural matters like license surrender and earlier permission to partially reopen, yielding different emphases on culpability versus professional fall from grace.