Matthew Perry death: ‘Ketamine Queen’ to plead guilty
The “Ketamine Queen” has been charged with selling Matthew Perry the drug that killed him, agreeing to plead guilty. This is the nickname for Jasveen Sangha, who becomes the fifth and final defendant charged in the death of the TV star to strike a plea agreement with federal prosecutors. LiveNOW’s Mike Pache is speaking with TMZ’s Michael Babcock about Sangha, who was known to her customers as the “Ketamine Queen”.
LOS ANGELES – A woman known to her customers as the “ketamine queen” pleaded guilty in Los Angeles federal court to illegally selling the ketamine that killed actor Matthew Perry in October 2023.
What we know:
Jasveen Sangha, 42, pleaded guilty to one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, three counts of distribution of ketamine, and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death or serious bodily injury.
According to plea agreements, Sangha sold ketamine to Eric Fleming, a friend of Perry’s live-in personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa.
On October 28, 2023, Iwamasa injected Perry with at least three shots of Sangha’s ketamine, causing the actor’s death.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Alleged drug dealer Jasveen Sangha, accused of selling Matthew Perry fatal dose, gets trial date
Sangha also admitted to selling ketamine to another man, Cody McLaury, in August 2019. McLaury died hours later from an overdose.
A search of Sangha’s residence in March 2023, months before Perry’s death, found various drugs, including methamphetamine, ketamine, and cocaine, along with a money-counting machine and other drug paraphernalia.
FILE – Matthew Perry poses at a photocall for “The End Of Longing”, a new play which he wrote and stars in at The Playhouse Theatre, on February 8, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
The backstory:
Perry, who struggled with addiction, died of a fatal ketamine overdose on October 28, 2023. He was 54.
The five defendants in the case were charged in an 18-count indictment in August 2024.
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Besides Sangha, four other defendants have also pleaded guilty.
Iwamasa pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death.
Fleming pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death.
Two physicians, Salvador Plasencia and Mark Chavez, also pleaded guilty.
RELATED: Matthew Perry doctor pleads guilty to supplying ketamine to ‘Friends’ actor before his death
Court documents state that Plasencia illegally distributed ketamine to Perry on at least seven occasions and taught Iwamasa how to inject the drug.
Chavez, in turn, is accused of writing a fraudulent prescription to obtain the ketamine he sold to Plasencia for distribution to Perry.
RELATED: Doctor Mark Chavez, charged in Matthew Perry’s death, pleads guilty
What they’re saying:
According to prosecutors, Perry was paying $2,000 per vial of ketamine, while his dealers were paying just $12 per vial.
In text messages to Chavez, Plasencia allegedly discussed how much to charge Perry for the drug, stating, “I wonder how much this moron will pay.”
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Matthew Perry ketamine death: 5 arrested in connection to actor’s overdose
Sangha’s attorney, Mark Geragos, provided a brief statement, saying his client was now “taking responsibility for her actions.”
What’s next:
The other four defendants are awaiting sentencing. Chavez is scheduled for sentencing on September 17, Fleming on November 12, Iwamasa on November 19, and Plasencia on December 3.
Upon entering her guilty plea, Sangha will face a maximum of 65 years in federal prison.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Matthew Perry death: ‘Ketamine Queen’ accused of selling fatal dose to ‘Friends’ star to plead guilty
Her sentencing date has not yet been announced.
The Source: This report is based on information from official court documents, including plea agreements and an 18-count federal indictment. Direct quotes and details about the case come from prosecutors, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and a statement from Sangha’s attorney, Mark Geragos, providing a direct look into the legal proceedings.
