Doctor Sentenced to 30 Months for Ketamine to Perry

A federal judge in Los Angeles sentenced Dr. Salvador Plasencia to 30 months in prison on Wednesday for illegally distributing ketamine to actor Matthew Perry in the weeks leading up to his overdose death. Plasencia, 43, who had no prior experience with ketamine therapy, pleaded guilty in July to four counts of distribution of the controlled substance, admitting he supplied Perry with vials of the drug without a legitimate medical purpose.

The sentencing took place at the Edward R. Roybal Federal Courthouse before U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett. Prosecutors had sought a three-year term, arguing that Plasencia exploited Perry's known addiction struggles for financial gain. They cited text messages in which Plasencia discussed Perry's request for the drug, including one where he asked a colleague, "I wonder how much this moron will pay." The judge rejected a defense claim that Plasencia initially intended to treat Perry's depression, stating she did not find it credible and noting the doctor's profit motive. "You sought to exploit Mr. Perry's addiction for your own profit," Garnett said.

Plasencia addressed the court before the sentence was imposed, apologizing to...