Dr. Mark Chavez, one of two doctors charged in connection with the ketamine overdose death of “Friends” actor Matthew Perry, was barred from practicing medicine and ordered to surrender his passport by a federal judge, Reuters reports.
Chavez, facing a felony count of conspiracy to illegally distribute ketamine, was released on a $50,000 bond and has agreed to plead guilty at a future court date. His defense lawyer stated that Chavez is deeply remorseful and is cooperating with the investigation. Another doctor, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, has pleaded not guilty, and Jasveen Sangha, described as the “ketamine queen,” has also pleaded not guilty. Perry’s personal assistant Kenneth Iwamasa and an alleged middleman have pleaded guilty.
Perry, who struggled with substance abuse throughout his life, died in October 2023 due to acute effects of ketamine and other factors, leading to drowning in his hot tub.
