Doctor Who Treated Matthew Perry Gets Sentenced for Ketamine Supply

Salvador Plasencia, the doctor who supplied ketamine to Matthew Perry in the weeks before the actor’s overdose death in 2023, has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison.

The sentence was handed down Wednesday in a Los Angeles federal court. The information comes from court reports and statements made during the hearing.

Plasencia apologized directly to Perry’s family, admitting he broke his duty as a doctor. “I failed Mr. Perry. I failed his family. I should have protected him,” he said before the sentence was read.

In July, Plasencia pleaded guilty to four counts of ketamine distribution, although he did not supply the fatal dose. Federal marshals handcuffed him and took him into custody immediately after the sentencing. Prosecutors had asked for a three-year sentence, while the defense requested probation.

Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett rejected the defense argument that Plasencia’s initial intent was to treat Perry’s depression. “I don’t find that rings true,” she said, noting that the doctor had tried “to exploit Mr. Perry’s addiction for your own profit.”

The judge pointed out that Plasencia had received $55,000 from Perry during their brief interaction and added, “if the case involved any other controlled substance, we’d be looking at a lot more time.”

Plasencia’s lawyer, Karen Goldstein, said his decisions were influenced by money. “It really was a perfect storm of bad decision-making,” she said. Prosecutor Ian Yanniello pushed back, calling Plasencia “a drug dealer in a white coat,” rather than a negligent medical provider. Text messages revealed Plasencia referring to Perry as a “moron” while discussing the price for ketamine.

Perry’s family also spoke during the hearing. His mother, Suzanne Morrison, addressed Plasencia directly, saying, “This is my boy. I know how addicted he was. He survived it all… To be called a ‘moron’ — there’s nothing moronic about that man… This was a bad thing you did.”

His half-sister, Madeline Morrison, added that Plasencia had taken advantage of Perry’s vulnerabilities. “Celebrities are not just plastic dolls you can take advantage of. They’re people,” she said.

Four other defendants connected to Perry’s death have not yet been sentenced.

This case shows how easily addiction can be exploited, even by someone trusted as a medical professional. Plasencia’s actions caused real harm, and the sentence reflects the seriousness of what he did. What do you think about the sentence? Do you feel justice was served? Share your thoughts in the comments.