Distributor of Ketamine Sentenced to Federal Prison Following Actor’s Death
Eric Fleming, who pleaded guilty to distributing the ketamine linked to actor Matthew Perry’s death, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison. The ruling was made during a hearing in Los Angeles federal court on Wednesday morning.
In addition to the prison term, Fleming is required to pay a special appraisal fee of $200 and report to court by noon on June 29.
Federal prosecutors initially sought a 30-month incarceration and three years of supervised release. They emphasized Fleming’s awareness of Perry’s addiction history, claiming he aimed to profit from the actor’s vulnerabilities despite evident signs of drug-seeking behavior.
Conversely, Fleming’s defense team argued for a reduced sentence of three months in prison along with three years of supervised release, emphasizing his cooperation and remorse regarding the situation.
During the court proceedings, Fleming expressed his regret, stating that mere words cannot alleviate the pain caused by his actions. He acknowledged, “I am haunted by the mistakes I made,” and conveyed a deep sense of loss over his involvement in Perry’s tragic passing.
While Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett believed Fleming’s level of culpability was not as severe as that of Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who had administered ketamine to Perry, she underscored that Fleming’s responsibility should not be underestimated.
Prosecutors revealed that Fleming, a certified drug counselor, contacted Perry in 2023 after learning through mutual sources about the actor’s desire for ketamine. Allegedly, he sold Perry 51 bottles of the drug in October 2023, including the amount that ultimately led to the actor’s death. In court, Bill Esseri, assistant attorney for the Central District of California, asserted that Fleming’s actions facilitated multiple drug transactions, culminating in Perry’s death.
In a letter to the court pleading for leniency, Fleming acknowledged his awareness of Perry’s struggles with substance abuse. It was also noted that he collaborated with Jasbeen Sangha, referred to as the “queen of ketamine,” to provide the drug. Sangha was sentenced last month to 15 years in prison along with three years of supervised release.
Perry, 54, was discovered unresponsive in the pool of his Pacific Palisades home on October 28, 2023. The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office later determined his death resulted from an accidental ketamine overdose, with drowning, coronary artery disease, and the impact of buprenorphine—used to treat opioid use disorder—identified as contributing factors.
In reflecting on Perry’s demise, Fleming articulated his overwhelming sadness and shame, acknowledging his role in the circumstances that led to this tragic event. He also cooperated with authorities, providing valuable information about the conspiracy involving others who supplied ketamine to Perry. Meanwhile, two physicians have also been charged in connection with the case. Dr. Salvador Plasencia received a two-and-a-half-year sentence last year, while Dr. Mark Chavez was sentenced to eight months of home detention and three years of supervised release.
