AceShowbiz - On Friday, August 30, 54-year-old Dr. Mark Chavez appeared at the Roybal Federal Courthouse in Los Angeles for the arraignment hearing in the case involving his alleged involvement in the death of Friends actor Matthew Perry. Perry passed away in October 2023 at 54 after being injected with three shots of ketamine.

Chavez is facing one count of conspiring to distribute ketamine. He admitted to selling ketamine to Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who allegedly supplied drugs to Perry's assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa.

According to the plea agreement, Chavez used to operate a ketamine clinic and diverted some of the ketamine for his own use. He admits to selling ketamine to Plasencia, obtaining ketamine by submitting a fraudulent prescription using a former patient's name, and making false statements to a wholesale ketamine distributor.

Chavez's attorney, Matthew Binninger, told reporters that his client is "incredibly remorseful" and accepts his role in Perry's death. Binninger stated that Chavez is "doing everything in his power to right the wrong" and is "incredibly remorseful."

Chavez has agreed to a plea deal because federal investigators conducted a thorough investigation. Binninger emphasized that his client is cooperating and wants to "do the right thing."

Prosecutors indicate that Chavez could face up to 10 years in prison upon sentencing. Other defendants arrested in the case include Plasencia, Jasveen Sangha (accused of distributing the ketamine that caused Perry's death), Iwamasa (Perry's live-in assistant at the time of his death) and Eric Fleming (an acquaintance of Perry's who allegedly coordinated the ketamine deal).

Chavez has been released on a $50,000 unsecured bond and is required to surrender his medical license and passport. A change of plea hearing, where Chavez is expected to formally enter a guilty plea, is set for a later date.