A physician who admitted guilt in a plot to provide ketamine to actor Matthew Perry before his fatal overdose has been sentenced to eight months of home confinement. Dr. Mark Chavez, 55, received the sentence from Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett in a federal courtroom in Los Angeles, along with three years of supervised release.
Prior to the sentencing, Chavez expressed his condolences to the Perry family, acknowledging the impact of Perry’s death. He obtained ketamine and supplied it to Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who was recently sentenced to 2½ years in prison for selling ketamine to Perry before his demise.
Chavez’s legal team highlighted his early acceptance of responsibility by cooperating with authorities and voluntarily surrendering his medical license before his detention hearing. His attorney, Matthew Binninger, viewed the sentence as a fair and just resolution for the case.
Perry had been using ketamine legally for depression treatment, but turned to Plasencia when his regular doctor refused to provide the desired quantities. Plasencia admitted to exploiting Perry’s addiction, referring to him as a “moron” who could be taken advantage of for financial gain.
Chavez confessed to obtaining ketamine through deceptive means from a wholesale distributor and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine. He has not been in custody and will be required to complete 300 hours of community service.
Chavez is the second of five defendants who have pleaded guilty in connection with Perry’s death at age 54 in 2023 to be sentenced. Perry, known for his role as Chandler Bing on “Friends,” passed away in October 2023. The medical examiner determined that ketamine was the primary cause of his death.
The remaining three defendants who have entered guilty pleas will face sentencing in separate hearings in the near future. Judge Garnett aims to ensure that all sentences are proportionate to each other.