Prosecutors Seek 15-Year Sentence for 'Ketamine Queen' in Matthew Perry's Overdose Death

Jasveen Sangha admitted to providing the ketamine that killed the 'Friends' actor in 2023.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 1:56am

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Federal prosecutors are seeking a 15-year prison sentence for Jasveen Sangha, a woman known as the 'Ketamine Queen,' who admitted to providing the ketamine that killed actor Matthew Perry in 2023. Sangha pleaded guilty last year to charges related to Perry's overdose death and another overdose death in 2019. Prosecutors say Sangha ran a 'high-volume drug trafficking business' and continued to sell 'dangerous drugs' even after learning she sold ketamine that contributed to the deaths of two people.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing opioid crisis in the United States and the devastating impact of drug trafficking on vulnerable individuals, including celebrities. It also raises questions about the role of enablers and suppliers in overdose deaths and whether harsher sentences can deter such criminal behavior.

The details

Sangha pleaded guilty to one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, three counts of distribution of ketamine, and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death or serious bodily injury. She admitted to working with another dealer, Erik Fleming, to provide Perry with dozens of vials of ketamine in the weeks before his death in October 2023, including the ketamine that killed him. Sangha also admitted to selling ketamine in connection with another overdose death, that of Cody McLaury, who died hours after Sangha sold him four vials of ketamine in August 2019.

  • In August 2024, Jasveen Sangha was arrested in connection with Matthew Perry's fatal overdose.
  • In October 2024, Sangha pleaded guilty to the charges related to Perry's and McLaury's overdose deaths.
  • On April 8, 2026, Sangha is scheduled to be sentenced in Los Angeles.

The players

Jasveen Sangha

A woman known as the 'Ketamine Queen' who admitted to providing the ketamine that killed actor Matthew Perry in 2023.

Erik Fleming

Another dealer who worked with Sangha to distribute ketamine to Matthew Perry.

Kenneth Iwamasa

Matthew Perry's live-in personal assistant who repeatedly injected Perry with the ketamine supplied by Sangha and Fleming.

Mark Chavez

A doctor who once ran a ketamine clinic and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to illegally distribute ketamine to Matthew Perry.

Salvador Plasencia

A doctor who briefly treated Matthew Perry prior to his death and pleaded guilty to distribution of ketamine.

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What they’re saying

“She has maintained sustained and exemplary sobriety, and actively engaged in recovery-oriented and rehabilitative programming while in custody, and has tremendously strong family and community support to facilitate successful reentry and reduce the risk of recidivism.”

— Mark Geragos and Alexandra Kazarian, Sangha's attorneys

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on April 8, 2026 whether to sentence Jasveen Sangha to 15 years in prison as prosecutors have requested or a lesser sentence of time served as her defense attorneys have requested.

The takeaway

This case highlights the devastating impact of the opioid crisis and the need for stronger measures to hold drug dealers accountable for overdose deaths, while also addressing the underlying issues of addiction and mental health that contribute to the crisis.