A doctor accused of supplying ketamine to late actor Matthew Perry, who died from a fatal overdose, is planning to reopen his medical practice as early as Tuesday, his attorney has confirmed.
Salvador Plasencia, who pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine last week, will resume practice at his urgent care clinic in the Calabasas area, but with certain restrictions. He will no longer be allowed to prescribe controlled substances, including ketamine, to his patients.
According to prosecutors, Plasencia and another doctor, Mark Chavez, allegedly supplied Perry with vials of ketamine in exchange for $55,000 in cash. Plasencia also allegedly expressed concerns about Perry’s addiction to another patient, saying that the actor was “spiraling out of control.”
Plasencia is one of four defendants charged in connection with Perry’s death, including the actor’s personal assistant and a woman known as the “Ketamine Queen,” Jasveen Sangha. All of the defendants face multiple charges, with Sangha potentially facing life in prison and the others facing more than 20 years behind bars.
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada condemned the defendants’ actions, saying that they prioritized profits over Perry’s well-being. “Drug dealers who sell dangerous substances are gambling with other people’s lives for greed,” Estrada said. “This case sends a clear message that we will hold drug dealers accountable for the deaths they cause.”
