A federal judge is set to sentence Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 44, who pleaded guilty to illegally selling ketamine to Matthew Perry in the weeks before the actor\u2019s overdose death. Prosecutors are asking for a three-year prison term under a plea deal in which Plasencia admitted to distributing large amounts of ketamine to Perry \u2014 though he was not accused of supplying the dose that directly caused the fatal overdose on October 28, 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to court documents, although Perry had legally been receiving ketamine to treat depression, he turned to Plasencia after his regular doctor refused to increase his dosage. Despite knowing Perry\u2019s history of addiction, prosecutors say Plasencia exploited the actor\u2019s vulnerability for profit \u2014 even disparaging him in text messages as a \u201cmoron\u201d who could be exploited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Plasencia\u2019s defense painted a different picture, describing him as someone who rose from poverty to become a respected doctor whose career and license have already been destroyed. In a video to the judge, the doctor said he wanted to be a father his child could be proud of, called his actions the \u201cbiggest mistake of his life,\u201d and asserted remorse. His lawyers argued that a prison sentence was unnecessary given he has lost everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, prosecutors argue that Plasencia\u2019s actions represent a deep abuse of medical trust \u2014 trading ethics for profit at the cost of a patient\u2019s life. The sentencing of Plasencia is only the first among five individuals charged in connection with Perry\u2019s overdose. Others \u2014 including doctors, dealers, and the person who allegedly injected Perry \u2014 are still awaiting sentencing in separate hearings.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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