Dr. Salvador Plasencia, one of Matthew Perry's ketamine providers, pleaded guilty on Wednesday in a Los Angeles federal court to four felony counts of illegally distributing ketamine to the actor in the weeks leading up to his death. Plasencia, 43, had initially pleaded not guilty but changed his plea as his trial date in August approached, reaching a deal with prosecutors. In exchange for the guilty plea, prosecutors dropped three additional counts of illegal distribution and two counts of falsifying records.

Perry was found unresponsive in his hot tub on October 28, 2023. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be the "acute effects of ketamine," with drowning, coronary artery disease, and buprenorphine (a medication for opioid use disorder) as contributing factors.

Plasencia is now the fourth of five people charged in connection with Perry's death to plead guilty. According to court documents, Plasencia supplied Perry with 20 vials of ketamine totaling 100mg in the month before his death, along with ketamine lozenges and syringes. He also enlisted another doctor, Mark Chavez, to supply the drug.

Reportedly, Plasencia texted Chavez, "I wonder how much this moron will pay," referring to Perry buying the drugs. The ketamine sale allegedly netted $4,500. Plasencia then allegedly asked Chavez if he could keep supplying them so they could become Perry's "go-to". Chavez pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy to distribute ketamine.

Another defendant, Jasveen Sangha, has been accused of being a major ketamine dealer known as the "Ketamine Queen" and is alleged to have provided the dose that killed Perry. She has pleaded not guilty, and her trial is set to begin in August. Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry's live-in assistant, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death, admitting he repeatedly injected Perry with ketamine. Erik Fleming also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine resulting in death, admitting he distributed the ketamine that killed Perry.

Plasencia's attorney, Debra White, stated that her client is "profoundly remorseful" for his role in supplying ketamine to Perry, who was vulnerable due to his history of addiction. Plasencia intends to voluntarily surrender his medical license, acknowledging his failure to protect Perry.

Prosecutors stated that Plasencia did not supply Perry with the fatal dose. However, they described how Perry froze up and his blood pressure spiked during one injection administered by Plasencia, who nonetheless left more ketamine for Perry's assistant to inject.

Plasencia faces up to 40 years in prison and $2 million in fines. While he is likely to be sentenced to much less, there is no guarantee. He remains free on bond and is expected to surrender his medical license within 30 to 45 days. His sentencing is scheduled for December 3rd.