Dr. Mark Chavez Reaches Plea Deal in High-Profile Case
Los Angeles, CA – In a significant development in the case surrounding the death of beloved “Friends” star Matthew Perry, Dr. Mark Chavez, Perry’s doctor, is expected to plead guilty to charges of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.
Prosecutors announce plea agreement
According to FOX10, prosecutors recently announced that Dr. Chavez has agreed to a plea deal, with the formal guilty plea to be entered at a forthcoming court hearing. Chavez’s agreement includes cooperation with prosecutors in their ongoing investigation, which targets other individuals involved in the illegal distribution of ketamine, including another doctor allegedly implicated in supplying the drug to Perry, as reported by ABC7.
Details of the conspiracy
Dr. Chavez has admitted to obtaining ketamine from his former clinic by submitting false prescriptions, distributing the drug on a wholesale basis. The U.S. Attorney’s Office stated to ABC7: “Chavez has agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and has signed a plea agreement. At his arraignment, Judge Rosenbluth will set a date for Chavez’s change of plea proceeding – or direct the parties to contact the chambers of the federal district judge assigned to the case to set the hearing date.”
Potential sentencing
Chavez’s guilty plea could result in a prison sentence of up to 10 years. This marks the third guilty plea in the case, following those of Matthew Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, who admitted to helping Perry obtain and inject ketamine, and Eric Fleming, who acted as a middleman in the drug transactions. Both Iwamasa and Fleming have agreed to assist the U.S. Attorney’s Office further.
Ongoing investigations
Prosecutors are set to advance charges against Dr. Salvador Plasencia and Jasveen Sangha. Dr. Plasencia allegedly sold ketamine to Perry as recently as a month before his death. Sangha, referred to as the “ketamine queen” in court documents, is also under scrutiny.
The tragic death of Matthew Perry
Matthew Perry was found dead at his home in October 2023 at the age of 54. Initially, the cause of death was unclear, but subsequent investigations revealed ketamine involvement. Perry was discovered unresponsive in his hot tub, and despite emergency responders’ efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.