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Matthew Perry death case: Drug counselor who delivered fatal ketamine vials sentenced

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Updated  May 13, 2026 10:57am PDT
Crime and Public Safety
FOX 11
Matthew Perry's drug counselor gets 2-year prison sentence

Matthew Perry's drug counselor gets 2-year prison sentence

Erik Fleming received a two-year federal prison sentence for his role in the drug distribution network that led to the death of actor Matthew Perry.

The Brief

    • Erik Fleming was sentenced to two years in federal prison for acting as a drug middleman in the death of actor Matthew Perry.
    • Fleming facilitated ketamine deals between "Ketamine Queen" Jasveen Sangha and Perry’s assistant, who administered the fatal doses.
    • The legal saga concludes May 27 with the sentencing of Perry’s personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, who faces up to 15 years.

LOS ANGELES - A Hawthorne man has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for his role in the drug distribution network that led to the October 2023 death of "Friends" star Matthew Perry. 

What we know:

Erik Fleming, 55, was sentenced Wednesday to 24 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. 

He pleaded guilty in August 2024 to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine resulting in death. 

Fleming admitted to facilitating the transfer of the powerful anesthetic from Jasveen Sangha, known as the "Ketamine Queen," to Perry’s live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa. 

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Court records revealed a predatory pricing scheme where Perry was charged $2,000 per vial for a drug that cost the dealers only $12. 

While Fleming faced a statutory maximum of 25 years, federal prosecutors requested a sentence of two years and six months. Fleming’s defense had argued for just three months in prison followed by residential drug treatment, citing his own personal struggles with substance use.

Timeline:

  • September 2023: Dr. Salvador Plasencia begins illegally supplying Perry with ketamine.
  • Mid-October 2023: Iwamasa begins obtaining ketamine via Fleming and Sangha.
  • October 28, 2023: Matthew Perry is found dead in his Pacific Palisades home; Iwamasa admits to administering three fatal shots that day.
  • August 2024: Five defendants, including Fleming, are charged in an 18-count indictment.
  • December 2025: Dr. Plasencia is sentenced to 30 months in prison.
  • April 2026: Jasveen Sangha is sentenced to 15 years in prison.
  • May 13, 2026: Erik Fleming sentenced to two years in prison.
  • May 27, 2026: Kenneth Iwamasa, the final defendant, faces sentencing.

What they're saying:

During previous sentencing hearings in this case, Perry’s stepfather, Keith Morrison, shared the family’s grief, describing a "grinding sadness" left behind by the actor’s passing. 

In court filings regarding the "VIP" drug ring, prosecutors noted that Plasencia mockingly texted a colleague, "I wonder how much this moron will pay," referring to the actor’s struggle with addiction.

What's next:

Fleming is the fourth of five defendants to be sentenced. 

The final legal step will take place on May 27 when a judge sentences Kenneth Iwamasa. 

Iwamasa, who admitted to injecting Perry despite having no medical training, faces a maximum of 15 years in federal prison.

The Source: This report is based on federal court records, guilty plea agreements, and sentencing memoranda filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Information regarding the defendants' roles and previous sentencings was compiled from official statements by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and previous FOX 11 reports.

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