Oct. 2 (UPI) — A San Diego doctor is expected to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine in connection with the death of Friends actor Matthew Perry on Wednesday.
Mark Chavez, 54, faces a possible maximum prison sentence of 10 years if he goes through with the plea. Prosecutors are charging that Chavez took ketamine from his former clinic and with another doctor, Salvador Plasencia, supplied it to the entertainer.
Perry was found dead in his jacuzzi at his home in Pacific Palisades, California nearly a year ago this month. Chavez was part of a group federally charged in Perry’s death in August.
In his initial appearance in September, Chavez surrendered his medical license and agreed not to practice medicine. He had remained free on a $50,000 bond. Chavez is expected to receive a later date for his sentencing.
“These defendants cared more about profiting off Mr. Perry than caring for his well-being,” U.S. Attorney Mark Estrada said in a Justice Department statement last month. “Drug dealers selling dangerous substances are gambling with other people’s lives over greed.
“This case with our many other prosecutions of drug dealers who cause death send a clear message that we will hold drug dealers accountable for the deaths they cause.”
