Ex-California Doctor Sentenced for Role in Matthew Perry Overdose Death
A former California doctor has been sentenced to home detention following his involvement in the overdose death of actor Matthew Perry. Mark Chavez received an 8-month home detention sentence and will also serve 3 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to ketamine distribution.
Summary of Sentencing
Chavez appeared in a Los Angeles court, where U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett presided. He pled guilty to conspiracy charges related to the distribution of ketamine, which was used on Perry, who tragically passed away at the age of 54. Initially, Chavez faced a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
- Sentence: 8 months of home detention
- Supervised release: 3 years
- Community service: 300 hours
- Special assessment fee: $100
Chavez’s Remarks and Legal Representation
After the sentencing, Chavez expressed his condolences to Perry’s family and acknowledged the severe consequences of his actions. “My heart goes out to the Perry family,” he stated outside the court.
Zach Brooks, a member of Chavez’s legal team, discussed the significant impact of the case on Chavez’s life, stating that it marked a profound departure from his previous career as a physician. Chavez has reportedly lost his medical license and professional identity, which he had built over decades.
Details of the Case
Chavez was one of five individuals charged in relation to Perry’s accidental overdose. Perry was found unresponsive in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home in October 2023.
Chavez, once a licensed physician operating a ketamine clinic in San Diego, had provided approximately 20 vials of ketamine to Perry. Federal prosecutors revealed that Chavez and another doctor, Salvador Plasencia, were involved in the distribution process. Researchers discovered that Perry had dangerously high levels of ketamine at the time of his death, similar to those used in general anesthesia.
Previous Sentencing of Co-Accused
Salvador Plasencia, who was implicated in the case, received a sentence of two and a half years in federal prison earlier this month.
The indictment highlighted that Chavez had fraudulently written prescriptions and misled distributors in order to obtain additional ketamine for illegal distribution. Consequently, the ramifications of these actions have left lasting consequences for both Perry’s family and the medical professionals involved.
Perry’s Struggles
Matthew Perry was candid about his struggles with addiction, sharing his experiences in his 2022 memoir, “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing.” His tragic death has raised awareness about the dangers of substance abuse and the responsibilities of medical professionals in prescribing controlled substances.
This case continues to develop, and further updates will follow as more information becomes available.
