Doctor Mark Chavez Sentenced to Home Confinement in Matthew Perry Ketamine Death Case

A former California doctor was sentenced Tuesday to eight months of home confinement for his role in the ketamine overdose death of "Friends" star Matthew Perry, avoiding prison time after cooperating with federal investigators. Dr. Mark Chavez, 55, appeared before U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett in Los Angeles federal court, where he received the lenient sentence that also includes three years of supervised release and 300 hours of community service. He faced up to 10 years in prison for his guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Chavez pleaded guilty in October 2024 after admitting to illegally supplying 22 vials and nine lozenges of ketamine to Perry, despite knowing the actor's struggles with drug addiction. The former San Diego physician operated a ketamine infusion clinic at the time of Perry's death in 2023. Before learning his sentence, Chavez addressed the court, expressing remorse for his actions. "I just want to say my heart goes out to the Perry family," he said, noting that he had recently lost someone close to him and could relate to the grief Perry's family endured. The disgraced doctor surrendered his medical license amid the criminal prosecution, ending his decades-long medical career. His defense attorneys revealed that Chavez has been forced to drive for Uber after losing his professional livelihood and identity. Federal prosecutors recommended the lighter sentence because Chavez "immediately cooperated" with the criminal investigation and "accepted responsibility early" in the case. Probation officials had initially recommended one year in prison, while prosecutors asked for only six months of home confinement. Chavez admitted in his plea agreement that he and another doctor, Salvador Plasencia, began supplying ketamine to Perry around September 2023. Chavez obtained the ketamine fraudulently by submitting prescriptions in patients' names without their knowledge or consent, then sold the drug to Plasencia, who in turn supplied it to Perry in the weeks leading up to the actor's fatal overdose. Plasencia was sentenced earlier this month to 30 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to four counts of distributing ketamine. The case revealed text discussions between the doctors about how much to charge Perry for the illegal drug supply. Perry, who died at age 54, had struggled with addiction for years, dating back to his time starring as Chandler Bing on "Friends," when he became one of the biggest television stars of his generation alongside Jennifer Aniston and the rest of the iconic cast. Defense attorney Matthew Binninger called the sentence "a fair and just outcome for this case," emphasizing that Chavez's actions represented "a profound departure from the life he had lived up to that point." The consequences for Chavez have been severe and permanent, including the loss of his career, livelihood, and professional identity. Chavez must also pay a $100 special assessment to the U.S. government as part of his sentence. Perry's family was not present in court for the sentencing hearing.