### Doctor Pleads Guilty in Matthew Perry's Ketamine-Related Death

In a significant development in the case surrounding the death of actor Matthew Perry, Dr. Mark Chavez has entered a guilty plea in a Los Angeles court. Chavez, 54, admitted to a charge of conspiring to distribute the powerful anaesthetic ketamine.

Chavez had been running a ketamine clinic and provided ketamine lozenges to Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who then supplied them to Perry. This chain of distribution became a focal point in the investigation, especially after Chavez acknowledged in his plea agreement that he procured the drug through his clinic and a wholesale distributor using fraudulent prescriptions.

Matthew Perry, widely known for his role in the NBC sitcom Friends, was found dead in October 2023 in his backyard jacuzzi in southern California. A post-mortem examination revealed high levels of ketamine in his system, which led to the conclusion that the "acute effects" of the substance had caused his death.

The case has implicated a total of five individuals in Perry's death. Prosecutors highlighted that Perry's assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, collaborated with the two doctors to supply the actor with more than $50,000 worth of ketamine in the final weeks of his life. Text messages included in the indictment revealed a disturbing conversation between Chavez and Plasencia, where they speculated on how much they could charge Perry, referring to him disdainfully.

Though Chavez has agreed to cooperate with the investigation, allowing him to plead guilty to a lesser charge, he still faces a possible prison sentence of up to 10 years. His attorney emphasized Chavez's acceptance of responsibility and willingness to assist in the ongoing case.

As part of his plea agreement, Chavez has surrendered his passport and agreed to forfeit his medical license immediately. He remains free on bail awaiting sentencing, scheduled for April 2, 2025.