The second doctor charged in the ketamine overdose death of Matthew Perry is expected to plead guilty, federal officials said Monday.
Dr. Salvador Plasencia, also known simply as “Dr. P,” will cop to four counts of distributing ketamine, the Justice Department said. He faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, and sentencing guidelines were not included in the deal.
Plasencia is the fourth person charged in connection with Perry’s death who will plead guilty. Only one of the five suspects, Jasveen Sangha, remains scheduled for trial in August.
Investigators said Plasencia worked with another doctor, Mark Chavez, to provide Perry with ketamine off the books. The 54-year-old actor had been taking the drug legally to help treat depression, but he eventually sought to acquire more through other means, according to authorities.
Another of Plasencia’s patients told him about Perry’s desire, and Plasencia contacted Chavez to acquire more ketamine, the feds said. At one point, Plasencia texted Chavez about Perry, “I wonder how much this moron will pay.”
Perry’s personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, and his friend Erik Fleming have also pleaded guilty in the case.
With News Wire Services
