Image Credit: Office Of National Drug Control Policy
(North County Beat) – Five individuals, including a San Diego doctor, face charges in connection with the death of actor Matthew Perry, best known for his role on the television show “Friends.” Perry passed away in October of last year, with an autopsy revealing the presence of the drug ketamine in his system.
The U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, Martin Estrada, stated that the investigation into Perry’s death uncovered a vast underground criminal network responsible for supplying ketamine to the actor. Among those implicated is Mark Chavez, a doctor from La Jolla. “These defendants prioritized profit over the well-being of Mr. Perry,” Estrada said.
Court documents indicate that Dr. Mark Chavez, who previously operated a ketamine clinic, admitted to selling ketamine to Dr. Salvador Plasencia, a physician based in Santa Monica. Dr. Plasencia reportedly injected Perry with the anesthetic on multiple occasions.
Dr. Chavez confessed to obtaining the ketamine from his former clinic by writing a fraudulent prescription under the name of a former patient who was unaware of the scheme.
“Dr. Plasencia and Dr. Chavez grossly violated their professional oath to care for their patients,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “Instead of adhering to ‘do no harm,’ they inflicted harm to increase their profits.”
The two doctors allegedly charged Perry around $2,000 for each vial of ketamine, which only cost Dr. Chavez twelve dollars.
In one text message exchange between the two, they wrote, “I wonder how much this moron will pay?” followed by “Let’s find out.”
Dr. Mark Chavez, a graduate of UCLA Medical School in 2004, has already agreed to plead guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. According to the Medical Board of California, Chavez holds an active medical license with no reported disciplinary actions and is certified in emergency medicine. He is also the author of the book ‘The Five Habits of Healthy People’ and the creator of a device called ‘The Gravity Ball.’
In addition to Drs. Chavez and Plasencia, prosecutors have charged Jasveen Sangha, also known as the ‘Ketamine Queen,’ who allegedly sold Perry the fatal dose; Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry’s live-in assistant, who reportedly injected Perry with the ketamine; and Eric Hawthorne, who authorities describe as the drug broker. “These defendants exploited Mr. Perry’s addiction to enrich themselves,” Estrada added. “They knew the risks and dangers involved but chose to proceed regardless.”
Dr. Chavez is set to formally enter his guilty plea in federal court on August 30. While he faces up to ten years in prison, the main defendants in the case could be sentenced to life behind bars if convicted.
