Dr. Mark Chavez, one of the doctors charged in the investigation of Matthew Perry’s death, is expected to plead guilty to conspiring to distribute ketamine in a federal court in Los Angeles. He signed a plea agreement with prosecutors in August and is cooperating with authorities in exchange for lesser charges. Chavez is the third person to plead guilty in connection with Perry’s fatal overdose.
Chavez, a 54-year-old doctor from San Diego, is currently free on bond but has surrendered his passport and medical license. His lawyer, Matthew Binninger, stated that Chavez is deeply remorseful and is doing everything he can to make amends for his actions.
The investigation also involves Perry’s assistant and an acquaintance who have admitted to assisting the actor in obtaining and using ketamine. They are cooperating with prosecutors in the case against Dr. Salvador Plasencia and Jasveen Sangha, who are accused of selling ketamine to Perry. Both Plasencia and Sangha have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial.
Chavez admitted in his plea agreement that he obtained ketamine from his former clinic and a wholesale distributor by submitting fraudulent prescriptions. If he pleads guilty, he could face up to 10 years in prison when sentenced.
Matthew Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the hit sitcom “Friends,” was found dead by his assistant on October 28. The medical examiner determined that ketamine was the primary cause of his death. Perry had been using ketamine as an off-label treatment for depression, but he began seeking more of the drug from unauthorized sources.
The investigation revealed that Perry had been introduced to Plasencia by his acquaintance, who then asked Chavez to obtain ketamine for him. The two met and exchanged ketamine, which was later sold to Perry. Perry’s struggles with addiction dated back to his time on “Friends,” where he rose to fame alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer.
The case highlights the dangers of substance abuse and the importance of responsible prescribing and usage of medications. It serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences that can result from illicit drug distribution and misuse.
