Death of Matthew Perry: Doctor pleads guilty to distributing ketamine – National
One of the two doctors charged in connection with Friends actor Matthew PerryOn Wednesday, the man who died of an overdose pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Mark Chavez, 54, entered his guilty plea during an appearance in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. The San Diego-based doctor told the judge he illegally distributed ketamine, a commonly used surgical anesthetic, for personal financial gain. After Wednesday’s hearing, Chavez’s lawyer told reporters that his client had taken the investigation “incredibly seriously” and had “accepted responsibility.” “He admitted numerous facts recorded in the file. He is cooperating with the government,” attorney Matthew Binninger said. Mark Chavez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine resulting in death and serious injury on October 2, 2024. Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images Perry, who played Chandler Bing on the sitcom Friends, died October 28, 2023of acute effects of ketamine. He was discovered unconscious in a jacuzzi at his home in Los Angeles. Perry was 54 years old. Story continues below advertisement Chavez faces up to 10 years in prison. He has already given up his medical license. Chavez initially pleaded not guilty in August, but later signed a deal with prosecutors. In exchange for lesser charges, Chavez agreed to cooperate with authorities who targeted another doctor and suspected trafficker, known as “Queen of Ketamine» from Los Angeles, in connection with Perry’s death. Get the latest national news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up to receive breaking news alerts sent directly to you as they happen. Salvador Plasencia was accused of illegally supplying ketamine to Perry, while alleged dealer Jasveen Sangha was accused of selling the actor the lethal dose. Both have pleaded not guilty. Learn more about entertainment More videos Sangha faces nine counts, including conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine resulting in death. Chavez is the third person to plead guilty in Perry’s death. He was released on bail. In August, a lawyer for Chavez said he was “incredibly remorseful” over Perry’s death and was “trying to do everything in his power to right the wrong that happened here “. Chávez once operated a ketamine clinic, where he told prosecutors he obtained the drug from a wholesaler via a fraudulent prescription. He said he sold ketamine to Plasencia, who authorities said provided it to Perry’s personal assistant. Prosecutors said Chavez and Plasencia knew Perry suffered from drug addiction. Story continues below advertisement In a charge Released in August, prosecutors said the doctors conspired to sell Perry ketamine to make big profits. The filing included text messages between Chavez and Plasencia about how much to charge Perry for the ketamine. Court records claim Plasencia contacted Chavez about obtaining ketamine to sell Perry. “I wonder how much this idiot is going to pay,” Plasencia said in a text message to Chavez, according to the indictment. “Let’s find out (sic).” 2:07 People ‘took advantage’ of Matthew Perry before his death from ketamine overdose: prosecutors Current trend Microphones cut after Vance says ‘you’re not going to check the facts’ during VP debate Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi share romantic wedding photos Chavez’s sentencing is scheduled for April 2, 2025. He is one of five people charged in connection with Perry’s overdose. Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, told authorities he obtained the drugs and administered ketamine to him the day the actor died. An acquaintance of Perry’s, Eric Fleming, testified that he supplied ketamine to Iwamasa as a conduit for the Sangha. Story continues below advertisement Iwamasa and Fleming reached deals with prosecutors and pleaded guilty. Before his death, Perry was undergoing legal ketamine treatment to treat depression, but he was seeking more of the drug for illicit personal use, officials said. An autopsy determined that the actor had about 3.54 micrograms per milliliter of ketamine in his blood at the time of his death, nearly three times the amount normally prescribed. What is ketamine? Ketaminealthough fatal in large doses, has become an increasingly popular treatment for anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). When infused at low doses, research suggests that ketamine can stimulate the regrowth of synapses in the brain. Ketamine clinics are popping up across Canada and the United States. If abused, the drug can cause unwanted physical and mental symptoms, including hallucinations, strokes, and heart attacks. It is controlled in Canada under Appendix I of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. 7:14 a.m. What is ketamine? Doctor explains amid investigation into Matthew Perry’s death © 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Source link