LOS ANGELES, California: A doctor who pleaded guilty to supplying ketamine to actor Matthew Perry before his death due to overdose was sentenced to eight months of home confinement on December 16.
The sentence by Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett to 55-year-old Dr. Mark Chavez included three years of supervised release.
Before the sentencing in a federal courtroom in Los Angeles, Chavez addressed the judge and said he understood the grief that Perry's death had caused, as he, too, had lost a loved one recently.
"I just want to say my heart goes out to the Perry family," he said.
Chavez acquired ketamine and gave it to Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison earlier this month for selling ketamine to Perry in the months leading up to his death.
Chavez's attorneys emphasized the difference between the two doctors and said that Chavez "accepted responsibility early" by cooperating with investigators and voluntarily giving up his medical license ahead of his detention hearing.
"These are real steps that someone takes toward accountability," attorney Matthew Binninger said.
He called the sentence a "fair and just outcome" for the case.
Perry had been ingesting surgical anesthetic ketamine legally as a treatment for depression. But after his regular doctor refused to provide it, he turned to Plasencia.
Plasencia admitted to taking advantage of Perry, aware of his addiction issues. Plasencia texted Chavez that Perry was a "moron" who could be exploited for money, according to court filings.
Chavez admitted he lied to obtain the ketamine from a wholesale distributor. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.
Perry struggled with addiction for years, dating back to his time on "Friends," when he became one of TV's biggest stars as Chandler Bing. He starred alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004 on NBC's megahit.
Perry was found dead by his assistant on October 28. The medical examiner ruled ketamine as the primary cause of death.
Chavez is the second of the five defendants to be sentenced, who pleaded guilty in connection with Perry's death at age 54 in 2023. He will also do 300 hours of community service.
The other three who reached deals to plead guilty will be sentenced at their own hearings in the coming months.
