AceShowbiz - A San Diego doctor, Mark Chavez, 54, has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute ketamine in connection with the death of actor Matthew Perry. The plea deal comes amid an ongoing investigation into Perry's fatal overdose from ketamine on October 28, 2023.

According to prosecutors, Chavez supplied ketamine lozenges to Salvador Plasencia, another doctor charged in the case, who then allegedly distributed the drugs to Perry. Chavez admitted to obtaining the ketamine from a San Diego ketamine clinic through fraudulent prescriptions and selling it to Plasencia for distribution.

Chavez, along with Perry's assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, and Erik Fleming, an acquaintance of the actor, are cooperating with prosecutors in building their case against Plasencia and Jasveen Sangha, a ketamine dealer known as the "ketamine queen" of North Hollywood. Plasencia and Sangha are slated to stand trial beginning March 4, 2025, facing charges of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and other offenses.

Authorities allege that Plasencia and Sangha supplied the lethal doses of ketamine to Perry, who had been using the drug in off-label treatment for depression. After seeking more ketamine than his regular doctor would provide, Perry found Plasencia, who in turn contacted Chavez for the illegal supply.

Chavez pleaded guilty on Wednesday in federal court in Los Angeles and will be sentenced on April 2, 2025. He faces up to 10 years in prison for the conspiracy charge, but may receive a lesser sentence due to his cooperation.