A drug dealer known as the “Ketamine Queen” formally pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal charges connected to the death of “Friends” actor Matthew Perry. The guilty plea makes her the final defendant to accept responsibility in the high-profile case.
Jasveen Sangha, 42, appeared before U.S. District Court Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett wearing tan jail clothing and standing alongside attorney Mark Geragos as she responded “guilty” to five separate criminal counts. The dual citizen of the United States and the UK had been scheduled for trial later this month before reaching the plea agreement.
Perry’s family members, including his mother Suzanne Perry and stepfather Keith Morrison, a “Dateline” reporter, attended the hearing in their first court appearance since federal prosecutors announced the indictments one year ago.
Sangha admitted guilt to maintaining a drug-involved premises, three counts of ketamine distribution, and one count of ketamine distribution resulting in death, according to the plea agreement signed Aug. 18. Prosecutors agreed to dismiss three additional ketamine distribution charges and one methamphetamine distribution count unrelated to Perry’s case.
During questioning by Garnett, Sangha acknowledged she was uncertain about whether all drugs provided to co-defendant Erik Fleming were destined for Perry.
“There was no way I could tell 100 percent,” she said, later adding regarding ketamine vials given to Fleming that “I didn’t know if all of them or some of them” were intended for the actor. Such statements did not impact her plea agreement.
Geragos informed the court that the agreement resulted from “a robust back-and-forth with the government.”
The case emerged from an extensive federal investigation into Perry’s Oct. 28, 2023, death, with prosecutors identifying Sangha and Dr. Salvador Plasencia as primary targets. Plasencia entered his own guilty plea in July.
Three additional defendants—Dr. Mark Chavez, Kenneth Iwamasa, and Erik Fleming—previously accepted plea agreements in exchange for cooperation that included providing evidence against Sangha and Plasencia.
Perry was found dead in his Los Angeles residence by Iwamasa, who served as his personal assistant. The medical examiner determined ketamine, typically utilized as surgical anesthesia, was the cause of his death.
Perry had been receiving legal ketamine treatments from his physician for depression, which has become increasingly common as an off-label treatment for depression. When seeking more of the drug beyond his doctor’s prescribed amounts, Perry connected with Sangha through Fleming about two weeks before his death.
Fleming promoted Sangha’s product to Perry’s assistant, describing her ketamine as “amazing” and noting she exclusively serves “high-end and celebs.” Fleming allegedly noted that inferior quality ketamine would damage her elite business reputation.
Perry purchased large amounts of the drug from Sangha, including 25 vials for $6,000 cash four days before his death. Such included the doses that ultimately killed him.
When Perry died, Sangha had told Fleming to delete the text messages between her and the actor.
The defendant also admitted in her plea agreement to selling four ketamine vials to Cody McLaury, who died from an overdose in 2019. McLaury had no connection to Perry.
Sangha faces sentencing on Dec. 10 and could receive up to 65 years in federal prison. Judge Garnett does not have to follow any terms of the plea agreement, though prosecutors indicated they will recommend less than maximum penalties in the plea deal.
Sangha has remained in federal custody for approximately one year. Drug Enforcement Administration agents raided her North Hollywood residence in March 2024, finding large quantities of methamphetamines and ketamine. She also agreed not to contest property seizures exceeding $5,000 in cash connected to the investigation.
None of the co-defendants have yet received sentences.
Perry gained worldwide recognition after acting as Chandler Bing on NBC’s “Friends” from 1994 to 2004, starring with Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer for ten seasons. The 54-year-old actor publicly acknowledged battling addiction issues spanning many years, including during his time on the hit television series that made him one of his generation’s biggest stars.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
