Doctor in Matthew Perry Overdose Case Sentenced to 2½ Years in Prison

The doctor accused of illegally supplying ketamine to Matthew Perry in the weeks leading up to the actor’s death has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison, closing a major chapter in the high-profile investigation. Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who previously pleaded guilty to four felony counts of unlawful distribution of the anesthetic, was condemned by prosecutors for ignoring medical standards and exploiting Perry’s vulnerability. In court, officials described his actions as a “reckless pattern” that put patients at significant risk.

While investigators confirmed that the deadly dose found in Perry’s system did not originate from Plasencia, the sentencing emphasizes the doctor’s role in creating an unsafe environment that surrounded the star’s final months. Plasencia’s sentencing is the first among several defendants charged in connection with the case, with others — including another physician and a known supplier — set to face the court next. Federal authorities say the outcome sends a clear message about accountability in cases involving celebrity drug misuse and medical malpractice.