One of the doctors charged in connection with the death of Friends star Matthew Perry has appeared in federal court. Mark Chavez, 54, did not enter a plea in Los Angeles, but earlier this month, he signed an agreement with prosecutors to plead guilty to conspiring to distribute ketamine. Perry, 54, was found dead at his LA home on October 28 last year.
According to court documents, Perry had been taking ketamine six to eight times a day before his death. Five individuals have been charged in connection with his death, including his live-in personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, and a doctor named Salvador Plasencia, also known as “Dr. P.” The other charged individuals include Jasveen Sangha, referred to in documents as the “Ketamine Queen,” and Eric Fleming, who allegedly purchased the drug from Sangha.
Chavez has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors in pursuing others, including Plasencia, with whom he allegedly worked to sell ketamine to the actor. Judge Jean P. Rosenbluth ruled that Chavez could be released on bail but required him to surrender his passport and cease working as a doctor. Speaking outside the court, Chavez’s lawyer, Matthew Binninger, said, “He’s incredibly remorseful. He’s doing everything in his power to cooperate and help with this situation.”
Chavez, along with Perry’s assistant Kenneth Iwamasa and Eric Fleming, who have also pleaded guilty to various charges, is assisting authorities as they build cases against Plasencia and Sangha, the main targets of the prosecution. Chavez could face up to 10 years in prison when sentenced.
Plasencia has pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Sangha, a dual US and UK citizen, has pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy to distribute ketamine, maintaining a drug-involved premises, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute ketamine, and five counts of ketamine distribution.
Both Plasencia and Sangha are scheduled to return to court next week, with separate trial dates set for October. However, prosecutors are seeking a single trial, likely to be delayed until next year.
When Perry died, the ketamine levels in his body were equivalent to the amount used for general anesthesia during surgery, according to NBC News. Prosecutors allege Chavez funneled ketamine to Plasencia, obtaining some of the drug from a wholesale distributor through a fraudulent prescription. In one instance, it is alleged that Plasencia charged Perry $2,000 (£1,500) for a vial that cost Chavez approximately $12 (£9).
Credit SKYNEWS
