Kaylah Walton
Aphysician from San Diego has become the third individual to admit guilt in connection with Matthew Perry’s tragic drug overdose, as prosecutors gather key witnesses to pursue charges against those they believe played a significant role in the death of the “Friends” star.
Dr. Mark Chavez, 54, entered his guilty plea on Wednesday for a felony charge involving conspiracy to distribute the anesthetic ketamine during a federal court session in Los Angeles, following a plea deal made in July.
He is cooperating with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which is aiming to press more severe charges against Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who allegedly provided ketamine to Perry. Another key figure in this case is Jasmine Sangha, who is accused of being a major dealer referred to as the “ketamine queen” of Los Angeles and is believed to have supplied the substances linked to Perry’s death last year.
In court, Chavez stood with his attorney and responded to numerous questions from Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett. He waived his rights, including the right to a trial.
He listened as prosecutors detailed instances of his meetings with Plasencia in San Diego and Los Angeles to exchange ketamine obtained through false prescriptions. He confessed to providing 22 vials of ketamine and nine ketamine lozenges.
Chavez appeared visibly affected when the prosecutor recounted Perry’s death.
When asked by Garnett if he was pleading guilty to the actions described by prosecutors, he affirmed, “Yes, your honor.”
Chavez is currently out on bond and will be sentenced on April 2. He has surrendered his passport and agreed to forfeit his medical license and other privileges.
The judge reminded him that she is not obligated to follow any plea agreement and could impose the maximum sentence of 10 years if she chooses, although he may receive a lighter sentence due to his cooperation.
His attorney, Matthew Binninger, made a brief statement to the media, saying, “Mark entered his guilty plea, which is now part of the public record. Acceptance of responsibility comes first, followed by sentencing.”
Additional collaborators with federal prosecutors include Perry’s assistant, who confessed to assisting him in getting and using ketamine, and a friend of Perry, who admitted to facilitating drug transactions.
The lifeless body of Perry was discovered by his assistant on October 28, 2023. A medical examination determined that ketamine was the primary contributor to his death. The actor had been undergoing treatment for depression with the drug under his prescribed physician, a method that is increasingly recognized.
Around a month before his passing, Perry sought additional ketamine beyond what his doctor provided and eventually contacted Plasencia, who allegedly reached out to Chavez for procurement.
Documents reveal a text where Plasencia queried Chavez about financial matters, indicating “I wonder how much this moron will pay.” They met on the same day in Costa Mesa to exchange at least four vials of ketamine.
After selling drugs to Perry for $4,500, Plasencia is said to have approached Chavez for continued supplies to establish a relationship with Perry.
During court proceedings on Wednesday, prosecutors referenced a text dialogue in which Plasencia sought Chavez’s approval for their operations, to which Chavez replied it depended on their appetite for risk.
When Plasencia floated the idea of opening a ketamine clinic, Chavez indicated potential interest provided there were no “shady activities” involved.
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada stated during an August 15 announcement of the charges that “the doctors exploited Perry’s history of addiction in his final months to provide him with dangerous doses of ketamine.
Perry battled addiction for many years, going back to his time on “Friends,” where he became a prominent figure as Chandler Bing, sharing the screen with Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer for a decade from 1994 to 2004.
