Jasveen Sangha, infamously dubbed the “Ketamine Queen,” struck a deal with federal prosecutors on Monday and agreed to plead guilty to charges related to supplying the drug that caused the death of ‘Friends’ actor Matthew Perry in October 2023. The plea deal comes ahead of her scheduled September trial, Reuters reported, citing the U.S. Department of Justice.
Charges and Potential Sentence
Sangha, 42, will plead guilty to a total of five federal charges:
- One count of maintaining a drug-involved premises
- Three counts of ketamine distribution
- One count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death or grave bodily injury
Prosecutors described her as a prolific drug dealer. Under federal guidelines, she could face up to 45 years in prison. In addition to supplying Perry, Sangha admitted to selling four vials of ketamine to Cody McLaury, who later died from an overdose in 2019.
Co-Defendants and Investigation
Sangha is not the only individual implicated. Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who signed his plea deal on June 16, was a key target of the investigation. Other defendants—Dr. Mark Chavez, Kenneth Iwamasa, and Erik Fleming, pleaded guilty last year in exchange for cooperation. Their statements reportedly implicated both Sangha and Plasencia.
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Timeline Leading to Perry’s Death
On October 28, 2023, Matthew Perry was found dead in his Los Angeles home by his assistant, Iwamasa. Post-mortem reports identified ketamine—a powerful surgical anesthetic, as the primary cause of death.
Initially prescribed by doctors for depression, Perry later sought larger quantities of ketamine than legally permitted. Prosecutors said he began receiving ketamine from Plasencia about a month before his death and from Sangha roughly two weeks prior.
According to federal prosecutors, Perry purchased 25 vials of ketamine for $6,000 in cash from Sangha just four days before his death, with Fleming and Iwamasa acting as intermediaries. On the day Perry died, Sangha allegedly advised Fleming to delete their messages, according to the Associated Press citing her indictment.
DEA Raid and Arrest
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) raided Sangha’s North Hollywood home in March 2024, uncovering large quantities of methamphetamine and ketamine. She was indicted in June, arrested in August, and has remained in jail since.
Prosecutors say the guilty plea will be officially entered at an upcoming court hearing, where sentencing will also be scheduled.
