Matthew Perry’s live-in personal assistant pleaded guilty to charges in connection with the Friends star’s death, which was caused by “the acute effects of ketamine” in October 2023.
Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, was one of five defendants charged with offenses related to Perry’s death, the Department of Justice announced on Aug. 15.
Iwamasa pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death, per the DoJ.
Iwamasa “repeatedly” injected Perry with ketamine “without medical training,” including on Oct. 28, 2023, the day of the actor’s death, the DoJ stated.
Jasveen Sangha, who officials claim is known as, “The Ketamine Queen,” and Dr. Salvador Plascencia, have also been named as defendants in the case. They will be arraigned later on Aug. 15.
Sangha is charged with 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.
Plascencia is facing a charge of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.
Also charged were Mark Chavez, another doctor, and Erik Fleming. Chavez will plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, the justice department said, while Fleming pleaded to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death.
Both Iwamasa and Fleming could face up to 15 to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty. Chavez faces up to 10 years in prison.
Sangha, if found guilty, faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a possible life sentence.
Perry, 54, died on Oct. 28 from an accidental drug overdose. An autopsy concluded the actor died as a result of acute effects of ketamine. Contributing factors included drowning, coronary artery disease and effects from buprenorphine, a drug used to treat opioid use disorder. (People)