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5 People, Including Two Doctors, Charged in Investigation Into Matthew Perry’s Death

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5 People, Including Two Doctors, Charged in Investigation Into Matthew Perry’s Death

As a seasoned investigator with decades of experience under my belt, I find myself deeply troubled by this tragic case involving the untimely death of the beloved actor, Luke Perry. The complex web of drug trafficking and suspected cover-ups that led to his demise is a chilling reminder of the darker side of our society.

LOS ANGELES – Five individuals, including his personal assistant and two physicians, have been indicted for their roles in the case surrounding Matthew Perry’s death. Authorities referred to this as a “widespread criminal network” operating undercover, which allegedly supplied the late ‘Friends’ actor with the potent surgical anesthetic that ultimately led to his demise.

Last year during Perry’s last few months, medical professionals exploited his past struggles with addiction by administering excessive amounts of ketamine, which they knew to be harmful, stated U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada as he unveiled the charges on Thursday.

According to Estrada, they were fully aware that their actions could potentially harm Mr. Perry, yet they chose to proceed regardless.

One doctor even wrote in a text message, “I wonder how much this moron will pay” and “Lets find out,” according to an indictment unsealed Thursday.

Perry passed away in October as a result of a lethal dose of ketamine. Authorities claimed that multiple doses were administered on the day he died by his live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, who discovered Perry’s lifeless body later that day and was the initial person to speak with investigators.

In recent times, ketamine has witnessed a significant increase in its application as a therapy for depression, worry, and discomfort. Despite not being officially authorized for these purposes, physicians have the liberty to administer medications for unconventional or off-the-shelf applications.

Perry was undergoing routine ketamine injections for depression from his usual physicians (not implicated in the charges), and the doses weren’t high enough to explain his passing, according to officials.

When those doctors refused to give him more, he went in desperation to others.

“Estrada clarified that the discussion is not centered on proper ketamine therapy, but rather about two physicians who misused the trust placed in them, and violated their professional licenses by endangering someone’s life.”

In one case, DEA Administrator Anne Milgram stated that an individual paid $2,000 for a single vial of ketamine, which one of the physicians purchased at approximately $12. Over a period of two months prior to his demise, Perry is alleged to have handed over around $55,000 in cash to these doctors, according to Estrada’s account.

On Thursday, two individuals among them, one being a defendant named Iwamasa who has previously admitted guilt, were arrested, as stated by Estrada. Furthermore, another individual has confessed to the charges against them, and a third party has consented to do the same.

On Thursday, among the individuals taken into custody were Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who currently faces seven charges for distributing ketamine and additionally has been indicted on two counts due to accusations of record falsification following Perry’s demise.

On Thursday afternoon, Plasencia made a brief appearance in court and entered a plea of not guilty. It’s possible for him to be freed once he posts a bond of $100,000.

Lawyer for Plasencia, Stefan Sacks, requested permission for his client to continue treating patients at his clinic upon release, arguing that he had surrendered his DEA license for controlled substances and considered the Perry case as an isolated incident.

In a different wording, Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian V. Yanniello expressed his opposition by stating that Plasencia was functioning like a typical street-level drug peddler.

In simpler terms, Judge Alka Sagar decided that Plasencia can provide medical treatment to patients, but only after they’ve agreed in writing that they are aware of the accusations against him.

“Ultimately, Dr. Plasencia was operating with what he thought were the best of medical intentions,” and his actions “certainly didn’t rise to the level of criminal misconduct,” Sacks said outside the courthouse. “His only concern was to give the best medical treatment and to do no harm,” Sacks said. “Unfortunately harm was done. But it was after his involvement.”

On Thursday, it was Jasveen Sangha who stood accused in the case. Prosecutors labeled her a drug dealer and referred to her as “The Ketamine Queen” among clients. Her lawyer criticized this nickname during court proceedings, suggesting it was sensationalized for media consumption. Authorities stated that the ketamine supplied by Sangha resulted in Perry’s death.

In my own words as a movie enthusiast, I’d say: I maintained my innocence but was denied bail after my latest arrest. The initial charges against me were related to ketamine possession with the intent to sell, for which I was released on bond in March. However, a fresh indictment unveiled yesterday suggests a direct link to the tragic death of a renowned actor, and the judge decided to keep me detained due to concerns about my alleged actions to conceal evidence and my suspected use of drug profits to finance an extravagant lifestyle.

If found guilty, Plasencia might face a sentence of up to 120 years, according to the prosecution, while Sangha may be sentenced to spend the rest of their life in prison.

According to the records, Plasencia’s medical license has been free from any complaints and has remained active, but it will expire in October.

In a plea agreement, Dr. Mark Chavez – a medical practitioner based in San Diego – has chosen to admit his guilt for conspiring to distribute ketamine. Authorities claim that Chavez supplied ketamine to an individual named Plasencia, obtaining some of the drug from a wholesale supplier by means of a fraudulent prescription.

After Perry’s demise, it was stated by the prosecutor that the accused individuals were found to have communicated about the incident, suggesting ketamine as the potential culprit for Perry’s death. Estrada admitted to deleting messages related to the case and manipulating medical records in an effort to conceal their role.

In May, the Los Angeles police revealed they were collaborating with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service on an investigation regarding a 54-year-old individual who appeared to have unusually large amounts of surgical anesthetic in his system.

On October 28th, Iwamasa discovered the actor floating face-down in his heated pool. The responding paramedics sadly confirmed his death upon arrival.

Erik Fleming, who admitted his guilt, provided the assistant with ketamine. He obtained this drug from Sangha and later delivered it to Iwamasa. In total, he supplied 50 vials of ketamine for Perry’s use, with 25 being handed over four days before the actor’s passing.

The autopsy report published in December revealed that the level of ketamine found in Perry’s bloodstream fell within the range typically utilized for administering anesthesia during surgical procedures.

1.5 weeks had passed since his last proper medical intervention, the medical expert noted, and this particular substance usually gets broken down within just a few hours.

According to Estrada, Plasencia observed Perry become visibly distressed, with a sudden increase in blood pressure, following an injection of the drug. Remarkably, Plasencia then stored multiple vials of the same substance with Iwamura, intended for the actor to administer at a later time.

On Thursday, there was no response from the lawyers of Chavez, Iwamasa, and Fleming to several request for comments that were made.

According to the report, it was an accidental overdose of ketamine that led to the individual’s demise, with no signs of wrongdoing or criminal activity detected by the medical examiner. Additionally, drowning and various other health complications played secondary roles in this unfortunate incident, as stated by the coroner.

Perry battled addiction issues that date back to his time on the popular TV show “Friends,” where he rose to fame as Chandler Bing, playing alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004 on NBC’s hit sitcom.

In some instances, the authorities have pursued legal action against those who provided celebrities with harmful substances resulting in their deaths.

Following Mac Miller’s death due to a lethal mix of cocaine, alcohol, and fake oxycodone laced with fentanyl, two individuals involved in supplying the fentanyl were found guilty of drug distribution. One received a sentence exceeding 17 years in federal prison, while the other was sentenced to ten years.

Following Michael Jackson’s death in 2009 due to an overdose of propofol, a drug primarily used during surgeries and medical treatments, not for treating insomnia as the singer had intended, Dr. Conrad Murray was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in 2011. However, Murray continues to assert his innocence.

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2024-08-16 16:23

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