A trial for the so-called “Ketamine Queen” and a Santa Monica doctor who supplied Matthew Perry with the drugs that contribute to the Friends star’s death last year has been set. If found guilty, the duo could be in federal prison for decades.
Canceling a hearing scheduled for tomorrow in the cases of Jasveen Sangha and Dr. Salvador Plasencia, U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett has inked in the duo’s joint trial to start on March 4, 2025. If found guilty on the multiple charges they are facing, Sangha and Plasencia will almost certainly be behind bars well into their old age, and even for life for the former.
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According to filings by U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada, Sangha and Dr. Salvador Plasencia were among a group who “took advantage of Mr. Perry’s addiction issues to enrich themselves.”
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Arrested with several others on August 15 for the actor’s October 28, 2023 demise in his Pacific Palisades hot tub, “alleged San Fernando Valley drug dealer,” as the feds call her, Ketamine Queen Sangha and Plasencia have charged in with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Additionally, Sangha has also been charged with 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.
Working with the also charged Dr. Mark Chavez, Plasencia is up against seven counts of distribution of ketamine and two counts of altering and falsifying documents or records.
Both Sangha and Plasencia have entered not guilty pleas.
The office U.S. Attorney Estrada says “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.”
Out of a $500,000 bond after a short hearing on August 30 in downtown LA that resulted in no change in plea, the plea deal signing Chavez is now expected back before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jean Rosenbluth on October 2.
Fellow defendants Erik Fleming and Kenneth Iwamasa have hearings of their own set for October 30 and November 6 respectively before Judge Garnett. Sangha is in custody, but Plasencia Fleming, and Iwamasa are free on bond like Dr. Chavez
Among a series of roles, and years fighting drugs and alcohol issues, Perry was best known for his Chandler Bing portrayal on the long running NBC sitcom. Friends ran from 1994 to 2004.