Dr. Mark Chavez, one of two MDs charged in connection with the death of “Friends” actor Matthew Perry, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to conspiring to distribute the surgical anesthetic ketamine.
The 54-year-old doctor, who signed a plea agreement in August and surrendered his medical license and passport, is the third person to plead guilty in relation to the star’s fatal overdose last October.
Chavez has been out on bail since August and is cooperating with prosecutors. His attorney said he’s “incredibly remorseful” and is “trying to do everything in his power to right the wrong that happened here.”
Perry was found dead in his hot tub on Oct. 28, 2023, the victim of an apparent drowning. An autopsy later ruled his main cause of death as the “acute effects of ketamine.”
After months of investigation, Perry’s assistant, two doctors and two drug dealers were arrested in connection with the actor’s death.
Kenneth Iwamasa, the assistant, took a plea deal in August and is also helping prosecutors investigating Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 42, known as “Dr. P,” and 41-year-old Jasveen Sangha, who has been informally dubbed the “Ketamine Queen of Los Angeles.”
Chavez admitted to obtaining ketamine from a wholesale distributor by submitting a fraudulent prescription, as well as getting some from his former clinic. He could still spend up to 10 years behind bars despite his cooperation.
With News Wire Services
