Salvador Plasencia of Santa Monica, pleaded guilty to four federal counts of distribution of ketamine, which is used as a therapy for depression, but also as a so-called party drug.
One of two physicians charged in “Friends” star Matthew Perry’s death from a ketamine overdose is expected to be sentenced Wednesday in downtown Los Angeles on federal charges of illegal distribution of the surgical anesthetic.
Salvador Plasencia, 43, of Santa Monica, pleaded guilty in July to four federal counts of distribution of ketamine, which is used as a therapy for depression, but also as a so-called party drug.
The disgraced doctor faces up to 40 years in prison, although he is not expected to receive such a lengthy sentence, and a fine of at least $2 million, according to his plea agreement.
Five defendants were charged in Perry’s death and subsequently pleaded guilty. The lead defendant, Jasveen Sangha — dubbed the “Ketamine Queen” — will face up to 65 years in federal prison when she is sentenced Feb. 25.
One of Plasencia’s attorneys, Karen Goldstein, said in a statement after he pleaded guilty that her client regretted his actions regarding Perry.
“Dr. Plasencia is profoundly remorseful for the treatment decisions he made while providing ketamine to Matthew Perry,” the attorney said. “He is fully accepting responsibility by pleading guilty to drug distribution. Dr. Plasencia intends to voluntarily surrender his medical license, acknowledging his failure to protect Mr. Perry, a patient who was especially vulnerable due to addiction.”
Goldstein said that while Plasencia was not treating Perry at the time of the actor’s death, “he hopes his case serves as a warning to other medical professionals and leads to stricter oversight and clear protocols for the rapidly growing at-home ketamine industry in order to prevent future tragedies like this.
