Dr. Salvador Plasencia allegedly wrote a text to Dr. Mark Chavez which showcased their lust for money at the expense of actor Matthew Perry.
“I wonder how much this moron will pay,” one text read, followed by “Lets find out.”
Plasencia and Chavez are among the five people arrested and charged in connection to Perry’s death last year, Fox News reported.
In addition to the two doctors, police charged Perry’s live-in assistant Kenny Iwamasa, “The Ketamine Queen,” aka Jasveen Sangha, and middleman, Eric Fleming.
Martin Estrada, the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California,announced the arrests in a press conference Thursday.
Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor and president of West Coast Trial Lawyers, told Fox News Digital the five took advantage Perry resulting in him paying “the ultimate price.”
“They have these entourages that are many times like leeches,” Rahmani said. “They have a ton of money, and there are people that just take advantage of them and make money off them and milk them.
“Here’s someone with a clear and well-documented opioid addiction. He’s on meds to try to deal with that addiction, and he’s very public about it. And, you know, there are people who are charging him thousands and thousands of dollars for ketamine and taking advantage of that addiction. It’s really sad,” Rahmani added.
Both Plasencia and Chavez were medical doctors and licensed to practice in the state of California, per the indictment.
Estrada said at one point the defendants gave about “20 vials for approximately $50,000 in cash.” Iwamasa would then inject Perry with the drug.
The dealers also allegedly sold approximately “50 vials of ketamine for approximately $11,000 in cash.”
Iwamasa, who did not have any medical training, admitted he repeatedly injected Perry with ketamine.
This includes multiple injections the day Perry died.
Iwamasa pleaded guilty on Aug. 7 to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death. According to Estrada, Iwamasa has reached a plea deal.
Sangha, known as “The Ketamine Queen,” allegedly had a stash house in North Hollywood, California. She allegedly used this house for “manufacturing, storing, and distributing controlled substances, including methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, and ketamine, a Schedule III controlled substance,” according to court documents.
Sangha was previously indicted for her role in the 2019 overdose death of Cody McLaury.
Fleming was allegedly the go between for Sangha and clients. He told through text that she “only deals with high end and celebs. If it were not great stuff she’d lose her business.”
Iwamasa purchased 25 vials on Oct. 14, 2023. Then, on Oct. 23, Iwamasa requested “same as last time again over next 2 days,” in a text message with Fleming. The ketamine delivered Oct. 24 ultimately killed Perry four days later.
According to the indictment, Iwamasa injected Perry at least 18 times between Oct. 25-27. At least three of those injections were done the day that Perry died.
Rahmani said there’s a strong case against the defendants.
“It’s a really strong case. The text messages are so damning, and multiple defendants have already pleaded guilty about this based on the writing on the wall. The dealers have no defense whatsoever. They don’t have a DEA license or any reason to have ketamine or methamphetamine, so they’re done,” she said.
Sangha and Plasencia were charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.
Sangha was also charged with one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute ketamine and five counts of distribution of ketamine.
If convicted of all charges, Sangha would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment, per Fox News.
Plasencia would face up to 10 years in federal prison for each ketamine-related count and up to 20 years in federal prison for each records falsification count.
Chavez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine as part of his plea agreement. Chavez, based in San Diego, admitted to selling ketamine to Plasencia, including ketamine, the outlet reported.
Perry, who is best known for his work on “Friends,” died Oct. 28 after apparently drowning in a hot tub at his home. He was 54.
Perry’s stepfather, Dateline NBC’s Keith Morrison, spoke on behalf of the family, per Fox News.
“We were and still are heartbroken by Matthew’s death, but it has helped to know law enforcement has taken his case very seriously,” he said. “We look forward to justice taking its course and we’re grateful for the exceptional work of the multiple agencies whose agents investigated Matthew’s death. We’re hoping unscrupulous suppliers of dangerous drugs will get the message.”
