July 26, 2025 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

Two Arrested in Connection with Matthew Perry’s Fatal Ketamine Overdose Last October

Physician and Alleged Drug Dealer Charged in 18-Count Indictment for Actor’s Death

A licensed physician and an alleged drug dealer from the San Fernando Valley were arrested today in connection with the October 2023 death of actor Matthew Perry, who reportedly died from a ketamine overdose at his home in the Pacific Palisades. The Friends star also had a home above the Sunset Strip, close to Beverly Hills. 

The two individuals, Jasveen Sangha, 41, of North Hollywood, known as “The Ketamine Queen,” and Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 42, of Santa Monica, face multiple charges, including conspiracy to distribute ketamine. According to an 18-count superseding indictment unsealed today, they were among five defendants accused of involvement in Perry’s death.

Sangha, who is charged with multiple counts related to the distribution of ketamine and methamphetamine, is alleged to have supplied the ketamine that led to Perry’s fatal overdose on October 24, 2023. Plasencia, who faces charges of distributing ketamine and falsifying records, allegedly provided Perry with the drug during the final weeks of his life.

“These defendants cared more about profiting off of Mr. Perry than for his well-being,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “This case sends a clear message that we will hold drug dealers accountable for the deaths they cause.”

LAPD Chief Dominic Choi commended the collaborative efforts that led to the arrests, noting that officers “witness first-hand the harm these narcotics can cause.”

The DEA also announced charges against three additional defendants. Erik Fleming, 54, of Hawthorne; Kenneth Iwamasa, 59, of Toluca Lake; and Dr. Mark Chavez, 54, of San Diego, have either pleaded guilty or agreed to plead guilty to charges related to Perry’s death.

Court documents allege that the group conspired to supply Perry with ketamine, often using false prescriptions and unsafe methods. Plasencia and Chavez, both physicians, allegedly misused their medical positions to obtain and distribute the drug, while Iwamasa and Fleming were involved in administering it to Perry.

Sangha, who has been linked to drug trafficking since at least 2019, continued to distribute ketamine despite being aware of its dangers, according to the indictment.

If convicted, the defendants face significant prison time, with mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years and potential maximum sentences of life imprisonment for Sangha. The investigation was conducted by the Los Angeles Police Department, the DEA, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.

An indictment is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

in NEWS
Related Posts

In Your Time of Need, Woodlawn Cemetery is Available

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

By Susan Payne  For over 125 years, Woodlawn Cemetery, Mausoleum & Mortuary, wholly owned and operated by the city of...

Going for the throat

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Coach Bill Schuman expects protégé Golda Zahra to hold back nothing  By Linda Chase World famous competitors hire special coaches...

Unmasking ICE: Senators Push for Visible IDs After Secretive LA Immigration Raids

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bill Requires Federal Agents to Display Visible Identification During Raids U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) on...

Bacio di Latte’s Beverly Hills Gelateria Debut Blends Italian Tradition with California Cool

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Gelateria Features In-House Gelato, Espresso Drinks, and Decadent Signature Flavors Bacio di Latte has officially opened its latest U.S. flagship...

Housing for Health Chief Appointed to Lead Unified Homeless Services Department

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Veteran Housing Advocate to Oversee Streamlined LA County Services The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday confirmed the...

Rainbow Crosswalk at Pulse Memorial Could Be Removed Under New Federal Rules

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Trump Administration’s Program Urges States to Eliminate “Non-safety” Road Art, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a bizarre order for...

Brentwood Feels Impact as Feds Slash Office Leases Across Los Angeles

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

New Tracker Reveals Over 70,000 Square Feet Cut in 2025 Alone Los Angeles County’s office market is experiencing a fresh...

Interview: The Dinah Creator Mariah Hanson on Legacy, Change, and the Future of Queer Celebration

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

After 34 Groundbreaking Years, Hanson Reflects on Joy, Power, and Her Final Dinah  We spoke with Mariah Hanson, the creator...

Shore Hotel: A Local Destination for Summer Fun

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bring on all things summer. Walking or biking along Santa Monica Pier, you might find yourself taking a pause at...

One Last Bite: La Novia Bids Farewell with Final Pop-Up at Cardinale du Vin

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Inventive Latin-Asian Pop-up Serves Seasonal Small Plates for One-Night-Only La Novia, the pop-up kitchen known for its inventive Latin-Asian flavors,...

Governor Newsom Unveils Fast-Track Rebuilding Plan on Six-Month Anniversary of Palisades Fire

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

State Clears Over 5.5 Billion Pounds of Debris From Fires Ahead of Schedule Marking six months since the devastating Eaton...

Soprano Golda Zahra Returns to BroadStage For a One-Night-Only Musical Celebration

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Hailed as “the rising star of the opera world” by The Hollywood Times, internationally acclaimed soprano Golda Zahra makes her much-anticipated return to BroadStage in...

Transform Your Life: The Free Virtual ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT Debuts July 18-20, 2025

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT, a transformative three-day virtual event, is coming, July 18-20, 2025, offering participants worldwide a free opportunity...

July 4 ICE Raid on WeHo Car Wash Ends in Deportation of Local Resident

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Longtime West Hollywood Worker with Family’s Rent Money Taken in Raid A group of masked men and women, without official...

Bel Air and Holmby Hills Estates Lead May’s List of America’s Top 10 Home Sales

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

LA Claims Two of the Top Three Luxury Home Sales Last Month expensive residential transaction in the U.S. for May,...