LOS ANGELES—Mark Chavez, one of the two doctors charged in connection with the death of “Friends” actor Matthew Perry, is scheduled to plead guilty Wednesday to conspiring to distribute ketamine. Chavez, 54, of San Diego, is the third of five defendants in the case to sign a plea deal with prosecutors. He made an initial appearance in Los Angeles federal court last month.
During that hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge Jean Rosenbluth ordered him released on $50,000 bond. She also ordered Chavez — who earlier this week, at a separate administrative hearing, agreed to surrender his California medical license — not to practice medicine.
Chavez could potentially face up to 10 years in federal prison according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. A sentencing date will be scheduled during Wednesday’s hearing.
Perry was found dead in October in a hot tub behind his Pacific Palisades home.
Charges against the five defendants were announced Aug. 15 by federal prosecutors in Los Angeles who said they are part of a “broad underground criminal network” that supplied ketamine and took advantage of Perry’s addiction issues for their own gain.
The defendants charged include Jasveen Sangha (a.k.a. “Ketamine Queen”), Dr. Salvador Plasencia (a.k.a ”Dr.P”), and Erik Fleming who pleaded guilty on Aug 8 admitting he distributed ketamine that killed Perry.
Kenneth Iwamasa pleaded guilty as well and is scheduled for sentencing on Nov 6th after conspiring with Sangha,Fleming,and Plasencia illegally obtain ketamine and distribute it to Perry.
