Jasveen Sangha Pleads Guilty to Supplying Ketamine in Matthew Perry Death

The pursuit of relief from depression tragically led to the untimely death of beloved “Friends” actor Matthew Perry. In a significant development, the woman accused of supplying the ketamine that caused his fatal overdose has agreed to plead guilty, shedding new light on the illicit drug network that operated in the shadows of Hollywood.

Jasveen Sangha, infamously dubbed the “Ketamine Queen” by prosecutors, struck a deal with federal authorities on Monday, agreeing to plead guilty to a total of five federal charges. According to a statement from the Department of Justice cited by Reuters, the charges include one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, three counts of ketamine distribution, and the most severe count: distribution of ketamine resulting in death. The 42-year-old, described as a prolific dealer, was set to face trial in September. She now awaits a sentencing hearing where she could face a maximum prison term of up to 45 years.

How did Matthew Perry get the ketamine that killed him?

Matthew Perry’s death on October 28, 2023, was ruled an accident caused by the “acute effects of ketamine.” While the actor was legally prescribed the drug as an experimental treatment for depression and anxiety, the investigation reveals he sought far more than his doctors would provide. Court documents outline a disturbing timeline where Perry turned to an illicit supply chain in his final weeks.

Initially, he procured additional ketamine from Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who has also signed a plea deal. Approximately two weeks before his death, Perry began sourcing massive quantities from Jasveen Sangha. In a stark transaction just four days before he died, Perry paid $6,000 in cash for 25 vials of ketamine, with associates Kenneth Iwamasa and Erik Fleming acting as intermediaries. This underground supply was starkly different from the controlled medical treatment he was supposed to be receiving. The criminal operation unraveled after the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) raided Sangha’s North Hollywood home in March 2024, uncovering large quantities of ketamine and methamphetamines.

A Pattern of Dangerous Distribution

The plea agreement reveals that Perry was not Sangha’s only victim. In a devastating admission, she confessed to selling four vials of ketamine to a man named Cody McLaury mere hours before he died from an overdose in 2019. This pattern of distribution with fatal consequences formed a key part of the prosecution’s case. The legal proceedings also implicated others; Dr. Mark Chavez, Kenneth Iwamasa, and Erik Fleming had already agreed to plead guilty last year in exchange for their cooperation, which included providing statements that implicated both Sangha and Dr. Plasencia.

The case highlights the extreme dangers of illicit ketamine distribution outside of a controlled clinical setting. Medical professionals emphasize that therapeutic use is administered at sub-anesthetic doses in a supervised environment, a world apart from the high-potency street drugs that can lead to catastrophic outcomes, as tragically witnessed in this case.

The guilty plea from the so-called “Ketamine Queen” brings a measure of accountability for the Matthew Perry ketamine death, closing a painful chapter by underscoring the lethal consequences of illicit drug networks that prey on vulnerability. This case serves as a stark warning about the dangers of seeking controlled substances outside legitimate medical channels.

Must Know

What was Matthew Perry’s cause of death?
Matthew Perry’s official cause of death was the “acute effects of ketamine,” as determined by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. Drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine were listed as contributing factors.

Who is Jasveen Sangha?
Jasveen Sangha, nicknamed the “Ketamine Queen” by federal prosecutors, is a convicted drug dealer who pleaded guilty to supplying the ketamine that led to Matthew Perry’s fatal overdose in October 2023.

Is ketamine legal?
Ketamine is a legal prescription drug used as an anesthetic in medical settings. It is also approved for off-label use in treating certain mental health conditions like depression, but only when administered under strict medical supervision. Its distribution outside of these channels is illegal.

What sentence does the ‘Ketamine Queen’ face?
By pleading guilty to charges including distribution of ketamine resulting in death, Jasveen Sangha faces a maximum sentence of up to 45 years in a federal prison. Her official sentencing will be scheduled at a future hearing.

How many people were charged in connection to Perry’s death?
Five individuals were charged in the federal case. This includes Jasveen Sangha, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, Dr. Mark Chavez, Kenneth Iwamasa, and Erik Fleming. All have now agreed to plead guilty.