A woman who became infamous as the “Ketamine Queen” pleaded guilty to her part in the overdose death of Friends actor Matthew Perry.
Jasveen Sangha, 42, pleaded guilty in a Los Angeles courthouse on Wednesday to five counts of federal charges, including distributing ketamine resulting in death or severe bodily injury. Originally charged with nine counts, Sangha negotiated the agreement weeks ahead of when her trial was set to begin.
Maximum Sentence of 65 Years
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Sangha now faces a maximum of 65 years in federal prison. She will be sentenced on December 10, 2025.
Federal agents described her Los Angeles residence as a “drug-selling emporium.” When police searched her North Hollywood apartment in March 2024, they seized more than 80 vials of ketamine and thousands of pills that consisted of methamphetamine, cocaine, and Xanax.
Hollywood’s Ketamine Pipeline
Sangha’s admission of guilt offers a glimpse into how Matthew Perry gained access to large quantities of ketamine while he was receiving medical care. Perry, whose body was found in the jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home in October 2023, succumbed to “acute effects of ketamine,” the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner said.
The officials say Sangha had been selling ketamine since at least 2019 to celebrities and upscale clients. Her social media accounts portrayed a glamorous existence, including posts of photos from award shows like the Golden Globes and Oscars and foreign travel to destinations in Mexico and Japan.
Other than Perry, prosecutors linked Sangha to a second overdose fatality. She sold ketamine to a man named Cody McLaury in August 2019, court records indicate. He overdosed and passed away several hours later.
Network of Suppliers
Sangha wasn’t the only one involved in Perry’s death either. Federal prosecutors indicted five people in total, including medical providers and Perry’s assistant, for their alleged role in taking or giving the drug.
The others are:
Dr. Salvador Plasencia and Dr. Mark Chavez – two doctors accused of selling ketamine in straight sales.
Kenneth Iwamasa – Perry’s full-time aide, who reportedly helped both purchase and inject the actor with ketamine.
Eric Fleming – who reportedly sold Perry ketamine he purchased from Sangha.
All four co-defendants also pleaded guilty and are scheduled to be sentenced separately in November and December.
Hazardous Drug With Strictly Medicinal Use
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic with hallucinogenic effects, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). While legally prescribed medicine and veterinary use as an anesthetic, it is tightly controlled for its risks. Authorities stress that ketamine can be administered only by a licensed physician, with clients closely monitored for its potential hazardous side effects.
Investigations uncovered Perry’s reliance on the drug exposed Hollywood’s seedy side of supply chain. Speaking to BBC, one of the physicians likened the situation to the “wild west” of ketamine distribution.
Celebrity Connections and Lavish Lifestyle
Sangha’s peers told the Daily Mail that she would socialize regularly with Hollywood players, attending industry parties and mixing with celebrities. Despite this, officials claim she was running an organized racket, peddling ketamine from her so-called “stash house” in North Hollywood.
Sangha originally entered a plea of not guilty but ultimately switched pleas in August 2025. Her decision followed mounting evidence, including her co-defendants’ testimony, and the possibility of a highly publicized trial.
With sentencing only weeks away, the case continues to stay in the limelight, both for the tragic loss of a well-known actor and for the exposure of Hollywood’s black market ketamine trade.
Jamie Wells has a knack for getting the inside scoop on Hollywood’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent. With a sharp eye for industry trends and an ear for viral moments, Jamie covers everything from red-carpet events to behind-the-scenes drama in movies, TV, and celebrity culture.
