Matthew Perry's Death Linked to Criminal Network Involving Hollywood Producer and Doctors

Murder In The Morning | Daily True Crime News

Federal authorities have charged five individuals, including a former Hollywood director and two medical doctors, in connection with the ketamine overdose death of "Friends" star Matthew Perry. The charges were announced by the Department of Justice in Los Angeles, revealing a complex and underground criminal network that allegedly took advantage of Perry's struggle with addiction.
Erik Fleming, 54, a former Hollywood director and producer, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death. Fleming admitted to distributing 50 vials of ketamine, with half of those vials being delivered just four days before Perry's death in October 2023. According to court documents, Fleming coordinated the drug sales with Jasveen Sangha, known as "The Ketamine Queen," and was responsible for delivering cash from Perry's assistant to Sangha in exchange for the ketamine.
The Department of Justice described Fleming's role as that of a drug dealer, operating within a larger criminal network. U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada stated, "These defendants took advantage of Mr. Perry's addiction issues to enrich themselves. They knew what they were doing was risking great danger to Mr. Perry, but they did it anyway." Fleming, along with other defendants, faces up to 25 years in prison.
The investigation into Perry's death uncovered a broader scheme involving several individuals, including Dr. Salvador Plasencia, a licensed medical doctor who allegedly worked with Fleming and Perry's live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa. Plasencia is accused of obtaining ketamine from another doctor, Mark Chavez, and distributing it to Perry over a two-month period in exchange for $55,000 in cash. The vials, which cost the doctors only $12 each, were sold to Perry for $2,000 per vial.
Estrada highlighted the greed and callousness of the defendants, noting that Plasencia referred to Perry as a "moron" in text messages and expressed a desire to be the actor's "go-to for drugs." Despite knowing the dangers of ketamine, Plasencia continued to supply it to Perry, even as the actor's addiction spiraled out of control.
During his arraignment, Plasencia pleaded not guilty to the charges, appearing in court with shackled feet. His attorney, Stefan Sacks, argued that Plasencia should not be prohibited from treating other patients as a condition of his employment, claiming that the doctor had already surrendered his Drug Enforcement Administration license and could no longer prescribe controlled substances. The government, however, contended that Plasencia acted as a "street-corner drug dealer after money and profit."
The other defendants in the case, including Perry's assistant and Dr. Chavez, have entered plea agreements on federal drug charges. Jasveen Sangha, who is alleged to have sold the batch of ketamine that killed Perry, was arrested alongside Plasencia.
The case has drawn significant attention due to Perry's celebrity status and the involvement of individuals who once held positions of influence in Hollywood. Fleming, who directed and produced films in the late 1990s and early 2000s, had transitioned to working within a production company co-run by Sydney Holland, a former girlfriend of media mogul Sumner Redstone.
With the trial of these individuals pending, the case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of addiction and the lengths to which some will go to exploit vulnerable individuals for financial gain.
#MatthewPerry #KetamineOverdose #ErikFleming #SalvadorPlasencia #JasveenSangha #HollywoodScandal #DrugDistribution
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