Dr Mark Chavez, one of two doctors implicated in the ketamine overdose death of “Friends” star Matthew Perry, appeared in US District Court in Los Angeles on Friday. Chavez was granted $50,000 bond and allowed to remain free pending further proceedings. The doctor faces a single felony count of conspiracy to illegally distribute ketamine.
Chavez, who has previously signed an agreement to enter a guilty plea, did not enter a plea during the brief hearing.Defense attorney Matt Binninger confirmed that Chavez intends to formally plead guilty at a later date, which will be scheduled in the coming weeks.
In addition to the bond, Chavez was required to surrender his passport and agreed to relinquish his medical license. Binninger addressed the media outside the courthouse, stating, “My client is accepting responsibility. He’s doing everything in his power to cooperate, to help in this situation, and he’s incredibly remorseful.”
Binninger emphasized that Chavez’s remorse is focused on the tragedy of Perry’s death rather than the actor’s celebrity status. “The regret stems from the fact that someone who was trying to seek treatment died,” Binninger said.
Chavez’s case is part of a broader investigation involving multiple defendants. Dr. Salvador Plasencia, another physician charged in the case, has pleaded not guilty. Jasveen Sangha, an alleged ketamine supplier known as the “ketamine queen,” and other individuals connected to the distribution of the drug have also been charged. Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry’s personal assistant, and the alleged middleman involved in obtaining the drug have both pleaded guilty.
Authorities have revealed that Plasencia purchased ketamine from Chavez and discussed the pricing with him in text messages, one of which derogatorily referred to Perry: “I wonder how much this moron will pay.”
Perry, 54, died in October 2023 from “acute effects” of ketamine, which led to him losing consciousness and drowning in his hot tub, according to the December 2023 autopsy report. The actor had long struggled with substance abuse issues, including during his time on the iconic 1990s sitcom “Friends.”
Chavez, who has previously signed an agreement to enter a guilty plea, did not enter a plea during the brief hearing.Defense attorney Matt Binninger confirmed that Chavez intends to formally plead guilty at a later date, which will be scheduled in the coming weeks.
In addition to the bond, Chavez was required to surrender his passport and agreed to relinquish his medical license. Binninger addressed the media outside the courthouse, stating, “My client is accepting responsibility. He’s doing everything in his power to cooperate, to help in this situation, and he’s incredibly remorseful.”
Binninger emphasized that Chavez’s remorse is focused on the tragedy of Perry’s death rather than the actor’s celebrity status. “The regret stems from the fact that someone who was trying to seek treatment died,” Binninger said.
Chavez’s case is part of a broader investigation involving multiple defendants. Dr. Salvador Plasencia, another physician charged in the case, has pleaded not guilty. Jasveen Sangha, an alleged ketamine supplier known as the “ketamine queen,” and other individuals connected to the distribution of the drug have also been charged. Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry’s personal assistant, and the alleged middleman involved in obtaining the drug have both pleaded guilty.
Authorities have revealed that Plasencia purchased ketamine from Chavez and discussed the pricing with him in text messages, one of which derogatorily referred to Perry: “I wonder how much this moron will pay.”
Perry, 54, died in October 2023 from “acute effects” of ketamine, which led to him losing consciousness and drowning in his hot tub, according to the December 2023 autopsy report. The actor had long struggled with substance abuse issues, including during his time on the iconic 1990s sitcom “Friends.”