Who is Mark Chavez? Doctor Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Give Matthew Perry Ketamine

California physician Mark Chavez accepted a deal and pleaded responsible in federal courtroom in reference to Matthew Perry’s unintentional overdose loss of life final yr.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Workplace dominated that Perry died from the acute results of the drug ketamine after being discovered unresponsive in a pool at his dwelling in Pacific Palisades.

Chavez, 54, pleaded responsible on Oct. 2 in federal courtroom in Los Angeles. He’s one among 5 folks charged in connection to Perry’s loss of life.

Here is what to find out about Chavez and his involvement with the “Mates” star.

What was Chavez charged with in Perry’s loss of life?

Chavez pleaded responsible to conspiring to distribute ketamine to Perry. He admitted to knowingly acquiring the drug for the actor, who prosecutors mentioned had change into hooked on ketamine.

His lawyer mentioned Chavez is cooperating with investigators and will change into a witness within the trials of Dr. Salvador Plasencia and Jasveen Sangha subsequent yr.

Plasencia has pleaded not responsible to 1 rely of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, whereas Sangha, whom prosecutors nicknamed the “Ketamine Queen,” has pleaded not responsible to 9 prices, together with conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine leading to loss of life.

The trials for Sangha and Plasencia are scheduled for March 2025.

What else will we find out about Chavez’s connection to Perry?

The San Diego physician admitted to supplying Plasencia with ketamine that was then bought to Perry, in line with Chavez’s plea settlement.

Chavez additionally admitted to submitting a fraudulent prescription to acquire the ketamine. He wrote a prescription in one other individual’s title with out that individual’s information to acquire the drug, in line with courtroom paperwork.

A textual content change between Chavez and Plasencia from Sept. 30, 2023, contains Plasencia writing, “I ponder how a lot this moron can pay” and “Let’s discover out” in reference to Perry, courtroom paperwork say.

Chavez bought Plasencia a minimum of 4 vials of liquid ketamine and ketamine lozenges in September 2023. That very same day, Plasencia injected Perry with the drug after which suggested Perry’s live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, about methods to administer the drug, per the courtroom submitting.

In one other change between Chavez and Plasencia on Oct. 2, 2023, Plasencia wrote forward of a gathering with Perry that “(i)f right this moment goes effectively we could have repeat enterprise.” Chavez then inspired Plasencia to promote Perry the ketamine lozenges, in line with courtroom paperwork.

The courtroom submitting additionally alleges Chavez and Plasencia met up on different events wherein Chavez bought him a number of vials of liquid ketamine.

Iwamasa, 60, and Erik Fleming, 54, an acquaintance of Perry’s, have additionally taken plea offers and await their sentencing.

What has Chavez mentioned in regards to the prices towards him?

Chavez’s lawyer, Matthew C. Binninger, launched a press release in courtroom on his behalf.

“He’s extremely remorseful what occurred, not simply because it occurred to Matthew Perry however as a result of it occurred to a affected person. He’s attempting to do every little thing in his energy to proper the flawed that occurred right here.”

Will Chavez go to jail after pleading responsible?

Regardless of taking a plea deal, Chavez nonetheless faces as much as a 10-year jail sentence and $500,000 positive when he’s sentenced on April 2, 2025.

He’s at present out on $50,000 bond and has turned over his passport and medical license.