Doctor Charged in Matthew Perry Death Investigation Accepts Plea Deal and Could Face 10 Years in Prison

Mar. 15, 2025

Matthew Perry in 2022.Photo:Santiago Felipe/Getty

Matthew Perry visits SiriusXM Studios on November 01, 2022 in New York City.

Santiago Felipe/Getty

Mark Chavez, one of the two doctors who have been charged in relation to the death ofMatthew Perry, has agreed to a plea deal and is set to plead guilty to one drug charge.

On Friday, Aug. 30, Chavez, 54, appeared at the Roybal Federal Courthouse for his arraignment in the case against five different people who are alleged to have been involved intheFriendsactor’s death at age 54 in October 2023, after he had been injected with three shots of ketamine that day.

Chavez faced one count of conspiring to distribute ketamine, after hepreviously admitted to selling ketamine to Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who in turn allegedly supplied drugs to Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa.

Mark Chavez.ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty

Mark Chavez, the “ketamine doctor” who is charged in connection with actor Matthew Perry’s death from an accidental ketamine overdose, is seen leaving the Roybal Federal Courthouse in Los Angeles after his court appearance on August 30, 2024. Five people who allegedly supplied ketamine to “Friends” star Matthew Perry in a bid to exploit his drug addiction for profit have been charged in relation to his overdose death. Perry had fallen back into addiction in the autumn of 2023, when he began to be supplied by Salvador Plasencia and Mark Chavez, both doctors.

ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty

Appearing in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Jean Rosenbluth, Chavez said that he understood his rights and the judge agreed to let his plea deal with prosecutors go forward, according to theAssociated Press,NBC NewsandABC News.

According to the AP, Rosenbluth allowed the San Diego-based doctor to remain free on a $50,000 unsecured bond with several conditions, including turning over his medical license and passport.

“He is trying to do everything in his power to right the wrong that happened here,” Binninger said, per AP. “He is doing everything in his power to cooperate, to help in this situation, and he’s incredibly remorseful.”

“He’s doing everything in his power to cooperate and help with this situation,” he continued, adding that Perry was “universally beloved, and it’s a shame what happened.”

According to ABC News, Binninger noted that although Chavez formally pleaded not guilty on Friday, he will later plead guilty during a change of plea hearing that has yet to be scheduled.

Prosecutors said that Chavez could face up to 10 years in prison upon sentencing, the outlets reported.

Binninger also noted that Chavez agreed to a plea deal because federal investigators “did an excellent job in their investigation,” NBC News reported.

Perry speaks onstage during the 64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in 2012.Kevin Winter/Getty

Actor Matthew Perry speaks onstage during the 64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, California

Kevin Winter/Getty

“My client wants to do the right thing,” the attorney said, per the outlet. “He’ll be cooperating going forward.”

Binninger did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

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Other defendants arrested in the caseinclude Plasencia; Jasveen Sangha, who is accused of having distributed the ketamine that caused Perry’s death; Iwamasa, Perry’s live-in assistant at the time of his death; and Erik Fleming, an acquaintance of Perry’s who allegedly coordinated the ketamine deal.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP

source: people.com

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