Matthew Perry's personal assistant, 2 doctors charged in connection with his death

Five people are facing federal charges in connection with the investigation into Matthew Perry's death from acute effects of ketamine.

In a Thursday press conference, the Department of Justice revealed that the five individuals have been indicted and charged with providing the ketamine that caused Perry’s death in October. They include the actor’s personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa; two doctors, Salvador Plasencia and Mark Chavez; Erik Fleming, an acquaintance of Perry’s; and Jasveen Sangha, a North Hollywood resident who prosecutors said is known as "the Ketamine Queen."

"These defendants took advantage of Mr. Perry's addiction issues to enrich themselves," said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. "These defendants were more interested in profiting off Mr. Perry than acting for his well-being."

Sangha is facing one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute ketamine, and five counts of distribution of ketamine, the DOJ said.

Dr. Plasencia is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Iwamasa, Fleming, and Dr. Chavez have been charged separately in connection with the actor's death, the DOJ said.

Iwamasa, Perry's assistant, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death, admitting to repeatedly injecting Perry with ketamine, including multiple injections on the day the actor died, officials said.

Dr. Chavez, of San Diego, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. He admitted to selling ketamine to Dr. Plasencia, including some he had diverted from his former ketamine clinic, officials said. Chavez also obtained ketamine by making false representations to a wholesale ketamine distributor and submitting a fraudulent prescription in the name of a former patient, officials said.

Fleming pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death, officials said, adding that he admitted to obtaining the ketamine from Sangha and distributing 50 vials of ketamine to Iwamasa, half of which he obtained four days before Perry’s death.

"It's tragedy that brings us all here together," said Los Angeles Police Chief Dominic Choi. "I'm happy to stand here knowing that these dangerous individuals are no longer on the streets and won't be able to harm anyone else."

Authorities further revealed that following Perry’s death, law enforcement began an in-depth investigation into a "broad underground criminal network” responsible for distributing ketamine to Perry and other individuals. 

Prosecutors claimed that on Sept. 30, 2023, Dr. Plasencia texted Dr. Chavez about purchasing ketamine to sell to the "victim M.P.," who a law enforcement official identified was Perry. In a later text message, prosecutors say Dr. Plasencia discussed with Dr. Chavez how much to charge Perry, allegedly writing, "I wonder how much this moron will pay" and "Let's find out."

Authorities also allege that following media reports of Perry’s death, the defendants attempted to cover up their involvement. Estrada cited a text from Plasencia and Chavez that allegedly said, "Delete all our messages," and claimed that Plasencia later "falsified medical records and notes to try to make it look like what he was doing was legitimate."

Prosecutors noted that ketamine suspected to have been distributed by Sangha, who allegedly sold the batch connected with Perry’s death, was also linked to a 2019 overdose death.

Entertainment Weekly has reached out to the DOJ for further details.

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This development comes months after a law enforcement source told PEOPLE that the coordinated investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service was "nearing its conclusion," and police believed "multiple people" should be charged.

On Oct. 28, Perry was ​​found unresponsive in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home and pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said there was no indication of foul play at the time.

According to the autopsy report obtained by EW in December, aside from the effects of ketamine, contributing factors in the actor's death included drowning, coronary artery disease, and buprenorphine effects (the latter is a prescription medication that is used to treat opioid use disorder).

The report also claimed that Perry had been undergoing ketamine infusion therapy — which is said to help with everything from depression, anxiety, PTSD, drug and alcohol problems, and more — before his death. However, per the autopsy, because of the drug's short half-life, the ketamine found in his system could not have come from his last therapy session, which occurred more than a week before his death.

In May, more than six months after the Friends actor’s death, the LAPD said it was still looking into the case, with Capt. Scot Williams confirming in an email to Entertainment Weekly that the investigation was never closed, despite reports to the contrary.

"On Oct. 29, 2023, an autopsy of Mr. Perry was performed by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner. On Dec. 15, 2023, the results of the autopsy indicated that Mr. Perry died from the 'acute effects of ketamine,'" said a statement from the LAPD at the time. "Based on the Medical Examiner’s findings, the Los Angeles Police Department, with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Postal Inspection Service, has continued its investigation into the circumstances of Mr. Perry’s death."

A five-time Emmy nominee, Perry was best known for his role as Chandler Bing on NBC's Friends, the hit sitcom that ran for 10 seasons, from 1994 to 2004, and later enjoyed newfound popularity in the streaming era. Perry also had roles in films including 17 Again, Fools Rush In, and The Whole Nine Yards, and on television series such as Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, The Odd Couple, and Mr. Sunshine.