A Los Angeles woman known as the "Ketamine Queen" has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for distributing drugs that resulted in the fatal overdose of actor Matthew Perry.
Jasveen Sangha, 42, pleaded guilty last year to multiple charges, including distributing ketamine that caused death or serious injury. Prosecutors described her North Hollywood residence as a sophisticated drug operation catering to affluent clients.
Perry, who publicly battled addiction for decades, was discovered unresponsive in his hot tub in October 2023. The medical examiner concluded his death resulted from the acute effects of ketamine, a powerful anesthetic with hallucinogenic properties that requires medical supervision.
During the emotional sentencing hearing, Perry's stepmother delivered a victim impact statement urging the maximum penalty. "You caused this... You chose the one way that hurts people," she told Sangha. "Please give this heartless woman the maximum prison sentence so she won't be able to hurt other families like ours."
Federal agents raiding Sangha's home discovered dozens of ketamine vials along with thousands of pills containing methamphetamine, cocaine, and Xanax. Authorities alleged she had operated her "stash house" since at least 2019.
As part of her plea agreement, Sangha also admitted to selling ketamine to another individual who died from an overdose hours after the transaction in August 2019.
Sangha represents one of five individuals implicated in supplying ketamine to Perry, with prosecutors alleging they exploited his addiction for financial gain. The other four co-defendants have also entered guilty pleas.
Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who provided ketamine to Perry shortly before his death, received a 30-month prison sentence in December. That same month, Dr. Mark Chavez was sentenced to eight months of home detention and three years of supervised release for obtaining ketamine through fraudulent prescriptions and selling it to Plasencia.
Perry's live-in assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, who allegedly assisted with purchasing and administering the drug, has a sentencing scheduled this month, though his legal team has requested a delay. Another defendant, Eric Fleming, who sold Sangha's ketamine to Perry, is scheduled for sentencing in June.
Before receiving her sentence, Sangha addressed the court, acknowledging her "poor decisions had shattered people's lives" and expressing deep shame and remorse for her actions.