close
close
Doctor charged in Matthew Perry's death pleads guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine

Doctor charged in Matthew Perry's death pleads guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine

1 minute, 59 seconds Read



CNN

Mark Chavez, one of two doctors charged in connection with the death of “Friends” star Matthew Perry, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine at a court appearance in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

In accordance with the agreement, Chavez formally pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine to Perry, who died in October 2023 from the “acute effects” of anesthesia and subsequent drowning, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office autopsy report. He was 54.

Chavez made his agreement with prosecutors official during Wednesday's hearing. The judge set his sentence for April 2, 2025. Chavez faces up to 10 years in prison, the maximum sentence recommended in the plea agreement.

CNN has reached out to Chavez's lawyer and the U.S. Attorney's Office for comment.

Matthew Perry at the 2012 Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles.

During a court appearance last month, Chavez acknowledged the allegations and waived his right to a grand jury indictment.

According to court documents, Chavez is accused of murdering Dr. Salvador Plasencia – who is also charged in connection with Perry's death and has previously pleaded not guilty – of providing the ketamine that was administered to Perry via a fraudulent prescription.

Plasencia and Chavez are among five people charged in connection with the popular actor's death. Perry's personal assistant Kenneth Iwamasa and an acquaintance of Perry's, Erik Fleming, were also charged and, along with Chavez, were cooperative with prosecutors.

Fleming, who pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death, and Iwamasa, who pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine resulting in death, will be in the coming Sentencing dates set months ago.

Jasveen Sangha – who prosecutors say ran something of a “drug sales center” out of her home – and Plasencia have pleaded not guilty to their respective charges, which include falsifying medical records and conspiring to distribute to others .

According to the prosecutor's office, Sangha and Plasencia will be tried together. The trial is scheduled to begin March 4, 2025 and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 19.

According to his website, which promotes customized health services, Chavez received his medical degree from UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine in 2004.

He gave up his medical license under the plea agreement, his attorney Matthew Binninger previously said.

CNN's Taylor Romine, Cheri Mossburg, Nick Watt and Jack Hannah contributed to this report.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *