The first sentence in the criminal case surrounding the death of “Friends” star Matthew Perry is set to be handed down on Wednesday, determining the fate of a doctor who admitted to exploiting the actor’s addiction for profit.
Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 44, faces a federal judge in Los Angeles regarding his role in supplying Perry with ketamine in the weeks leading up to the actor’s fatal overdose. While Plasencia is not accused of selling the specific dose that killed Perry on October 28, 2023, his sentencing marks a pivotal moment in the investigation that charged five individuals.
Perry’s family, including his mother, Suzanne Perry, and stepfather, Keith Morrison, have been present at previous hearings and may address the court.
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The Prosecution’s Case
Federal prosecutors are urging U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett to sentence Plasencia to three years in prison. Their sentencing memo describes a medical professional who abandoned his ethical duties to capitalize on a vulnerable patient.
According to court filings, Perry had been receiving legal ketamine infusion therapy for depression. When his regular physicians refused to increase his dosage, Perry sought out Plasencia. Prosecutors highlighted text messages Plasencia sent to another doctor, in which he referred to Perry as a “moron” and speculated about how much money they could get from the actor.
“Rather than do what was best for Mr. Perry — someone who had struggled with addiction for most of his life — defendant sought to exploit Perry’s medical vulnerability for profit,” the prosecution stated in their memo.
The Defense’s Plea for Leniency
Plasencia’s legal team is arguing against incarceration, portraying the doctor as a man who made “the biggest mistake of his life” but has already faced severe consequences. They emphasize that Plasencia has surrendered his medical license, lost his clinic, and was forced to relocate his wife and 2-year-old son to Arizona due to threats and media harassment.
In a video submitted to the judge, Plasencia expressed a desire to redeem himself for his son’s sake. “I made mistakes, but I want him to know that I tried to make better choices after my mistakes,” he said.
His attorneys argue that prison is “neither necessary nor warranted,” citing testimonials from former patients who described him as a dedicated physician who rose from poverty.
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Background of the Case
Plasencia pleaded guilty in July to four counts of distributing ketamine, while prosecutors agreed to drop five other counts. The plea deal does not include a guaranteed sentence; legally, the charges could carry a maximum of 40 years, though the recommended three years is significantly lower.
Perry, who struggled with substance abuse throughout his decade-long run as Chandler Bing on NBC’s Friends, died from the acute effects of ketamine.
Plasencia is the first of five defendants to face sentencing. The remaining four, who have also reached plea agreements, are scheduled for their own hearings in the coming months.
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