Erik Fleming, a former drug counselor, was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to distributing the ketamine that prosecutors say killed Matthew Perry. The judge cited his major role in supplying the drug and weighed both the seriousness of P
A former producer and drug counselor who helped supply the ketamine that prosecutors said killed Matthew Perry was sentenced Wednesday to two years in prison.
Erik Fleming, 56, pleaded guilty in August 2024 to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine resulting in death. Prosecutors sought a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence, while Fleming’s attorneys argued for three months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
Fleming admitted in the plea agreement that he distributed the ketamine that killed Perry in October 2023.. He also admitted to obtaining the ketamine from Jasveen Sangha. known as the “Ketamine queen. ” and to distributing 50 vials of ketamine to the actor’s live-in personal assistant. Kenneth Iwamasa.
Sangha, 42, was one of five people charged in a conspiracy involving ketamine meant for Perry. She was sentenced last month to 15 years in prison. Perry died from acute effects of the drug.
In sentencing papers, prosecutors said Fleming sold 51 vials of ketamine to Perry in October 2023.. Prosecutors wrote that “at the time, defendant knew that Mr.. Perry had suffered from addiction for many years.” They also wrote: “On October 28, 2023, Iwamasa injected Mr.. Perry with at least 3 shots of ketamine obtained from the defendant [Fleming] and Sangha,” adding that “Mr.. Perry was found later that day face down in a jacuzzi and deceased.”
Other cases have already moved through the courts.. Salvador Plasencia. a former physician who supplied ketamine to Perry in the weeks leading up to his death. was previously sentenced to 30 months. about two and a half years. in prison.. Mark Chavez, another former doctor involved in providing the actor ketamine, received eight months of house arrest.. Iwamasa has not yet been sentenced.
In a six-page letter to the judge ahead of sentencing. Fleming said he felt “overwhelmed with grief and shame” after learning of Perry’s death and apologized to the actor’s family.. He wrote that he obtained the ketamine for Perry “because I wanted the money and because I thought I was doing a favor for a friend.” Fleming also acknowledged that “As a certified drug counselor and addict. I knew it was illegal and wrong to distribute black market drugs. ” and he wrote. “I should never have agreed to acquire ketamine for Matt.”
Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett said Fleming played a major role in supplying ketamine that “ultimately led to Mr.. Perry’s death.” Garnett said the case called for punishment that reflected both the seriousness of Perry’s death and Fleming’s extensive cooperation with investigators.. Fleming was also ordered to attend mental health treatment while in prison and to serve three years probation following his term.
The chain of events prosecutors described links procurement and distribution to the day Perry died: Fleming obtained ketamine from Jasveen Sangha and delivered 50 vials to Kenneth Iwamasa. and prosecutors wrote that on October 28. 2023. Iwamasa injected Perry with at least 3 shots of ketamine obtained from both Fleming and Sangha—after which Perry was found face down in a jacuzzi and deceased.
Matthew Perry Erik Fleming ketamine sentencing drug counselor Jasveen Sangha Kenneth Iwamasa Sherilyn Peace Garnett