A 55-year-old physician was handed a sentence of eight months of home confinement after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute ketamine that ultimately contributed to the overdose death of actor Matthew Perry. The ruling was issued by Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett in a federal courtroom in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
Sentencing Details
Judge Garnett ordered Dr. Mark Chavez to serve eight months of home confinement followed by three years of supervised release. In addition, Chavez will be required to complete 300 hours of community service. The judge emphasized that the sentence should be consistent with those of other defendants involved in the case.
Chavez’s Role and Cooperation
Chavez admitted that he obtained the anesthetic from a wholesale distributor on false pretenses and pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. He has never been held in custody. Chavez’s attorneys highlighted that he accepted responsibility early by cooperating with investigators and voluntarily surrendering his medical license before his detention hearing.
A Personal Apology
“I just want to say my heart goes out to the Perry family,” Chavez said to the judge before the sentence was delivered, noting that he had recently lost a loved one and understood the grief surrounding Perry’s death.
Attorney’s Perspective
Matthew Binninger, Chavez’s lawyer, described the cooperation as “real steps that someone takes toward accountability.” Binninger also called the sentence a “fair and just outcome” for the case.
The Ketamine Supply Chain
The drug was supplied to Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who had already been sentenced to two and a half years in prison earlier this month for selling ketamine to Perry in the months leading up to his death. Plasencia had texted Chavez that Perry was a “moron” who could be exploited for money, according to court filings.
Matthew Perry’s Treatment History
Perry had been receiving ketamine legally as an off-label treatment for depression from his regular doctor. When that doctor would not provide the amounts he wanted, he turned to Plasencia for additional doses. The medical examiner ruled ketamine the primary cause of Perry’s death, which occurred on October 28 when his assistant discovered him.
Details of the Supply
Plasencia admitted to providing 22 five-milliliter vials of ketamine and nine lozenges. He met with Chavez between San Diego and Los Angeles to hand off the drug, which was obtained using fraudulent prescriptions.
Other Defendants
Chavez is the second person to be sentenced among the five defendants who pleaded guilty in connection with Perry’s death. The remaining three defendants who reached plea deals will be sentenced at future hearings, and Judge Garnett has said she will ensure all sentences are coherent with one another.
Key Takeaways
- Dr. Mark Chavez received eight months of home confinement, three years of supervised release, and 300 hours of community service.
- The sentence reflects cooperation and early acceptance of responsibility.
- The case involves a broader network that supplied ketamine to actor Matthew Perry, whose overdose death was ruled a primary result of the drug.
The sentencing underscores the legal ramifications of illicit ketamine distribution and the serious consequences that can follow when medical professionals deviate from prescribed protocols.
