Doctor charged in Matthew Perry death investigation accepts plea deal, could face 10 years in prison

One of the two doctors charged in connection to Matthew Perry’s death could face up to 10 years in prison.

Mark Chavez, one of the two doctors charged in connection to Matthew Perry’s death, accepted a plea deal and could face up to 10 years in prison upon sentencing, according to the Associated Press.

Chavez appeared at the Roybal Federal Courthouse in Los Angeles on Friday. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute, after he admitted to selling ketamine to Dr. Salvador Placensia, who allegedly gave the drugs to Perry’s longtime assistant, Kenneth “Kenny” Iwamasa.

Iwamasa previously admitted he was the person who administered the fatal dose of ketamine to the Friends star on October 28, 2023.

US Magistrate Judge Jean Rosenbluth ruled that the doctor remains free on a USD$50,000 unsecured bond on several conditions — one of them being that Chavez gives up his passport and medical license.

Mark Chavez, the "ketamine doctor" who is charged in connection with actor Matthew Perry's death from an accidental ketamine overdose, is set to plead guilty. Picture: Robyn Beck/AFP

He was found in his hot tub. Picture: Alex B. Huckle/Getty Images

Chavez’s lawyer, Matt Binninger, said the doctor is looking to do “everything in his power to right the wrong” that resulted in Perry’s death.

“He is doing everything in his power to co-operate, to help in this situation, and he’s incredibly remorseful,” he told the outlet, adding that “it’s a shame” what happened to the “universally beloved” Perry.

The lawyer further assured that his client will “do the right thing” and would be “co-operating going forward.”

Binninger did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.

Perry underwent ketamine therapy for years to treat his depression. He once described the effects of the drug as “being hit in the head with a giant happy shovel” in his 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing.

The cast of Friends in 2002. Picture: Lee Celano/AFP

He died from the “acute effects of ketamine use” which led to his drowning.

In addition to Chavez and Iwamasa, authorities also arrested Placensia, friend Erik Fleming, and proclaimed “Ketamine Queen” Jasveen Sangha for the actor’s death.

They were charged with conspiracy to distribute ketamine, distribution of ketamine resulting in death, possession with intent to distribute, as well as altering and falsifying records.

“These defendants took advantage of Mr. Perry’s addiction issues to enrich themselves. They knew what they were doing was wrong. They knew what they were doing was risking great danger to Mr. Perry, but they did it anyway. In the end, these defendants were more interested in profiting off Mr. Perry than caring for his wellbeing,” US Attorney Martin Estrada said during a press conference, following their arrests.

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This article originally appeared in Page Six and was reproduced with permission.