Doctor bailed over Matthew Perry drugs death

In a significant legal development, a doctor has been charged in connection with the tragic death of actor Matthew Perry, who was widely recognized for his role in the beloved television series Friends. The doctor, Mark Chavez, made an appearance in a Los Angeles court where he was granted bail. As part of the proceedings, he agreed to cease practicing medicine while the case unfolds. His attorney conveyed that Dr. Chavez is feeling an immense sense of remorse regarding the situation. He is one of five individuals facing charges related to Perry's untimely death. Although he has reached a plea agreement with the prosecutors, he did not formally enter it during the court session. Matthew Perry, who was 54 years old at the time of his passing, died in his Los Angeles residence last October. A post-mortem examination revealed a dangerously high concentration of the drug ketamine in his bloodstream, which was determined to be the cause of his death. In the wake of this tragedy, authorities have disclosed that they uncovered a vast underground network of drug suppliers responsible for distributing significant quantities of ketamine. Three of the individuals charged in this case, including Perry's assistant, have already pleaded guilty to drug-related offenses. Dr. Chavez has admitted to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. During the court hearing, his bail was set at $50,000, and he was instructed to surrender his passport and refrain from practicing medicine. His defense attorney stated that Dr. Chavez is taking responsibility for his actions and is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation. Prosecutors allege that Perry's assistant made substantial cash payments to a doctor for the ketamine. Ketamine, a powerful anesthetic, is sometimes utilized in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and pain. Individuals close to Perry indicated that he was undergoing ketamine infusion therapy; however, they noted that his last session occurred more than a week prior to his death. The medical examiner clarified that the ketamine found in Perry's system could not have originated from the infusion therapy due to the drug's short half-life. The levels of ketamine detected in his body were comparable to those administered during general anesthesia, according to the medical examiner's findings. An indictment filed in federal court outlined a complex drug purchasing scheme that prosecutors assert ultimately contributed to Perry's death. They claim that Perry's assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, collaborated with two doctors to provide the actor with over $50,000 worth of ketamine in the weeks leading up to his demise. Officials contend that those involved in this scheme sought to exploit Perry's well-documented struggles with substance abuse. One of the doctors, Salvador Plasencia, allegedly sent a text message stating, 'I wonder how much this moron will pay. ' Dr. Plasencia, aged 42, is accused of administering ketamine to Perry outside the bounds of legitimate medical practice and without a valid medical purpose. Furthermore, he is alleged to have instructed Iwamasa on how to inject Perry with ketamine without adhering to proper safety protocols and monitoring, as detailed in the indictment. In the four days preceding Perry's death, Iwamasa reportedly administered at least 27 injections of ketamine to the actor, even after a previous large dose had caused Perry to 'freeze up,' prompting Dr. Plasencia to advise against a similar-sized dose in the future. Despite this warning, the doctor allegedly left several vials of the drug with Perry and his assistant after the incident. Others charged in this case include Jasveen Sangha, referred to as the 'Ketamine Queen,' who prosecutors allege supplied the drug to Plasencia with the assistance of two other co-defendants, Erik Fleming and Dr. Chavez. Prosecutors assert that bags of drugs and drug paraphernalia were discovered at Sangha's residence. Following Perry's death, the defendants allegedly attempted to conceal their actions. Sangha reportedly texted another suspect, instructing him to 'delete all our messages. ' Dr. Plasencia is also accused of falsifying medical records, as outlined in the indictment. The medical examiner's report indicated that drowning was a contributing factor in Perry's death, which was ultimately ruled an accident. Other contributing factors included coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder. Throughout his career, Perry battled addiction to painkillers and alcohol, seeking rehabilitation on multiple occasions. He candidly shared his struggles with substance use in his memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing. In a 2016 interview, he revealed that he could not recall three years of filming Friends due to his substance abuse. Despite his challenges, he stated in his memoir that he had been mostly sober since 2001, with a few relapses along the way.