Charges have been brought against five people, including one San Diego County resident, in connection with actor Matthew Perry’s death in October of last year at the age of 54.

The charges, which pertain to administering ketamine in doses they knew could be lethal, were announced by Los Angeles-area U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada on Thursday, according to the AP.

La Jolla doctor, 54-year-old Mark Chavez, agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine. On his LinkedIn profile, Dr. Chavez refers to himself as a longevity coach and entrepreneur.

He allegedly obtained ketamine through a fraudulent prescription and supplied it to Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who in turn gave the drug to Perry’s longtime assistant, Kenneth Kenny Iwamasa, who’s accused of administering the fatal dose of ketamine to the beloved “Friends” star. Plasencia is accused of distributing ketamine to Perry on multiple occasions; the indictment paints a picture of a group of individuals, referred to as a network, who prioritized profit over Perry’s well-being.

“They knew what they were doing was wrong,” Estrada said. “They knew what they were doing was risking great danger to Mr. Perry. But they did it anyway.”

The Ketamine Network

Plasencia, accused of being a “key player” in Perry’s ketamine network, was charged with seven counts of distributing ketamine and two counts for allegedly falsifying medical records after Perry’s death. He has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death. If convicted of the seven counts, he could face up to 120 years in prison, according to prosecutors.

Jasveen Sangha, who was known as the “Ketamine Queen,” is alleged to be a drug dealer who supplied the ketamine dose that ultimately caused Perry’s death. If convicted of the charges against her, she could face life in prison.

Chavez, the La Jolla doctor, worked with prosecutors and accepted a plea agreement, in exchange for which he could only receive a ten-year sentence. Chavez graduated from the UCLA School of Medicine and had a clean record prior to his arrest.

Ketamine has recently grown in popularity as an antidote for depression and anxiety. Perry, who suffered from depression, had been getting ketamine treatments on a regular basis from his official doctors, who weren’t part of the scheme that would take the actor’s life. The way the prosecutors explained it, Perry craved more ketamine than his normal doctors would provide, causing him to seek it from the underground network.   

Chavez’ plea agreement notes that the San Diego County doctor had been distributing ketamine to Plasencia for almost a month before Perry’s Oct. 28 death. Texts reveal that supplying Perry’s ketamine was clearly regarded as a business opportunity by the two doctors who’d known each for over 20 years. On one occasion, Plasencia texted Chavez: “I wonder how much this moron will pay.”

Both Dr. Salvador Plasencia and Dr. Mark Chavez face significant legal repercussions, including potential loss of medical licenses, fines, and imprisonment.

Kenneth Iwamasa pleaded guilty to a felony which carries potential prison time, fines, and a criminal record.

While the primary cause of death was a ketamine overdose, other factors such as drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine contributed to his passing. The investigation into Matthew Perry’s death is ongoing, and more details may emerge as the legal process unfolds.

Matthew Perry was a highly acclaimed American and Canadian actor, best known for his iconic role as Chandler Bing in the beloved sitcom “Friends.” His portrayal of the witty and sarcastic character earned him global recognition and a dedicated fan base. Beyond “Friends,” Perry had a successful career appearing in various television shows and films.

The case highlights the dangers of drug abuse and the serious consequences for those involved in the illegal drug trade. It also underscores the importance of seeking professional help for substance abuse issues.