Dr. Mark Chavez, one of the two doctors charged in connection with Matthew Perry’s fatal overdose, has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.
The Friends actor, 54, was found dead in his jacuzzi on October 28, 2023. The autopsy from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office later revealed that he died from “acute effects” of ketamine and drowning. Other health issues were also contributing factors.
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Chavez, 54, entered the plea in front of U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett on Wednesday at a Los Angeles court. As part of the plea agreement, Chavez gave up his medical license. If sentenced, he faces up to 10 years in prison. Sentencing will take place on April 2, 2025.
Here’s what we know so far.
Chavez, 54, is one of five individuals who have been charged with the Friends actor’s death, which happened in October 2023.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe has been a licensed medical doctor for almost 20 years.
The other defendants are Jasveen Sangha, known as “The Ketamine Queen,” Dr. Salvador Plasencia, Perry’s friend Erik Fleming, and Perry’s live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa.
So far, Plasencia and Sangha have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine.
Ketamine is a general anesthetic that requires a healthcare professional present to monitor for side effects. Chavez, Iwamasa, and Fleming are cooperating with police in exchange for lesser charges.
In his plea agreement, Chavez, who operated a ketamine clinic, admitted to selling ketamine to Plasencia.
He had kept almost a dozen vials of ketamine from a ketamine infusion clinic where he previously worked.
According to the indictment, Chavez got the ketamine for Perry by “writing a fraudulent prescription in a patient’s name without her knowledge or consent, and lied to wholesale ketamine distributors to buy additional vials of liquid ketamine that Chavez intended to sell to Plasencia for distribution to Perry.”
In text messages from Plasencia to Chavez, Plasencia discussed how much they should charge Perry for the ketamine.
He wrote, “I wonder how much this moron will pay” and “Lets [sic] find out.”
Plasencia was allegedly the one who taught Perry’s live-in assistant, Iwamasa, how to inject Perry with ketamine. Iwamasa admitted to “repeatedly injecting Perry with ketamine without medical training, including performing multiple injections on Perry on October 28, 2023 – the day Perry died.”
Perry was reportedly receiving ketamine infusion therapy to help with depression and anxiety. Prosecutors believe that those charged took advantage of Perry who was struggling with a ketamine addiction.
Chavez currently remains out on bond and has begun the process of surrendering his medical license.
Embed from Getty ImagesChavez’s lawyer, Matthew Binninger, said his client has “accepted responsibility.”
“He [pleaded] guilty. He admitted a lot of facts on the record. He’s cooperating with the government,” he told reporters following Wednesday’s hearing. “He’s taken this incredibly seriously.”
This story may be updated.
