A physician based in Santa Monica has pleaded guilty to four felony counts of unlawful ketamine distribution in a federal case tied to the 2023 death of actor Matthew Perry. Dr. Salvador Plasencia entered the plea on Wednesday in the Central District of California. His sentencing is scheduled for December 3.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Plasencia knowingly provided ketamine to Perry, despite being aware of the actor’s struggles with substance use. Authorities say Plasencia was part of an unlicensed supply chain that provided the drug in the weeks leading up to Perry’s death. The actor was found deceased at his Pacific Palisades residence on October 28, 2023. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner attributed the cause of death to the acute effects of ketamine, followed by drowning.

Plasencia, age 43, admitted to furnishing Perry with multiple forms of ketamine, including injectable vials, lozenges, and pre-filled syringes. Prosecutors allege he used another physician to obtain the drug and charged Perry thousands of dollars per visit. Communications submitted as evidence included a text message in which Plasencia referred to Perry as someone who could be financially exploited.

While prosecutors did not assert that Plasencia provided the exact dose responsible for Perry’s death, he acknowledged in court that he left ketamine for Perry’s assistant to administer even after observing Perry experience significant physical side effects during a prior injection.

As part of the plea agreement, federal prosecutors agreed to drop three additional distribution charges and two counts related to falsified records. Each of the four remaining counts carries a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison, for a total of 40 years. Plasencia also faces a possible fine of up to $2 million or twice the value of any proceeds linked to the offenses, in addition to a mandatory court assessment and a potential term of supervised release.

Plasencia remains out on bond and has already surrendered his authority to prescribe controlled substances. He is expected to formally relinquish his medical license within the next six weeks. In a statement through his attorney, Plasencia expressed remorse and accepted full responsibility, stating that he hopes the case prompts stronger oversight of at-home ketamine use and clearer professional standards for prescribing the drug.

Perry had previously received ketamine treatments under medical supervision for depression. Court documents indicate that after his provider declined to increase the dosage, he turned to alternative sources. Plasencia reportedly began supplying him with ketamine about one month before his death, after being introduced to the actor by another patient.

Plasencia is the fourth person to plead guilty in connection with the investigation. The fifth and final defendant, Jasveen Sangha, is accused of selling the dose that caused Perry’s death. She has pleaded not guilty, and her trial is expected to begin next month.