Trial Set for Alleged ‘Ketamine Queen,’ Santa Monica Doctor

An official court date has been set for the trial of alleged “Ketamine Queen” Jasveen Sangha and Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who are accused of supplying Matthew Perry with the drugs that led to his overdose on Oct. 28, 2023.

If found guilty, the pair could face several decades in prison. When this article was published, Sangha and Plasencia entered not-guilty pleas.

U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada wrote in legal filings that Sangha and Dr. Salvador Plasencia “took advantage of Mr. Perry’s addiction issues to enrich themselves.”

U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett has set the pair’s joint trial for March 4, 2025.

Sangha and Plasencia were arrested on Aug. 15 for one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Sangha has further been charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute ketamine, five counts of distribution of ketamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises.

Plasencia is also facing seven counts of distribution of ketamine and two counts of altering and falsifying documents or records. He is said to have worked with Dr. Mark Chavez, who has signed a plea deal and is expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jean Rosenbluth on Oct. 2.

“If convicted of all charges, Sangha would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Plasencia would face up to 10 years in federal prison for each ketamine-related count and up to 20 years in federal prison for each records falsification count,” the office of U.S. Attorney Estrada said in a statement.

Erik Fleming and Kenneth Iwamasa, defendants in this case, have their own hearings before Judge Garnett scheduled for Oct. 30 and Nov. 6, respectively. Sangha is currently in custody, while Plasencia, Fleming and Iwamasa are free on bond alongside Chavez.

Perry was best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the hit NBC sitcom “Friends,” which ran from 1994 to 2004.