A physician who admitted to participating in a plot to provide ketamine to actor Matthew Perry before his fatal overdose has been given an eight-month home confinement sentence. Dr. Mark Chavez, aged 55, received the verdict, which also includes three years of supervised release, from Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett in a federal court in Los Angeles.
Prior to the sentencing, Chavez spoke to the judge, expressing his condolences to the Perry family and acknowledging the sorrow caused by Perry’s death. Chavez was involved in obtaining ketamine and passing it on to Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who was recently sentenced to 2½ years in prison for supplying ketamine to Perry leading up to his demise.
Chavez’s legal team highlighted the distinctions between the two doctors, emphasizing that Chavez took early responsibility by cooperating with investigators and voluntarily surrendering his medical license before his detention hearing. Attorney Matthew Binninger remarked on the significance of these actions as steps towards accountability and deemed the sentence as a fair and just resolution for the case.
Perry had been using ketamine legally as a treatment for depression, but turned to Plasencia when his regular doctor refused to provide the desired amounts. Plasencia admitted to exploiting Perry, referring to him as a “moron” who could be taken advantage of for financial gain.
Chavez confessed to acquiring ketamine from a wholesale distributor under false pretenses and pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. He has not been in custody and will also be required to complete 300 hours of community service.
Chavez is the second individual to be sentenced among the five defendants who pleaded guilty in connection with Perry’s death at the age of 54. Perry passed away on October 28, 2023, with the medical examiner determining ketamine as the primary cause of death. The actor had been using the drug for depression treatment through his regular doctor, albeit off-label, which has become increasingly prevalent.
In the month before his demise, Perry sought additional ketamine from Plasencia, who then enlisted Chavez to procure the drug. Chavez met with Plasencia between San Diego and Los Angeles to deliver the ketamine obtained through fraudulent prescriptions, supplying a total of 22 five-milliliter vials of ketamine and nine ketamine lozenges.
The other three defendants who agreed to plead guilty will receive sentencing in separate hearings in the upcoming months. Judge Garnett has emphasized the importance of ensuring that all the sentences are appropriately cohesive with one another.
