Rehab Counselor Erik Fleming Jailed for Supplying Ketamine to Matthew Perry

Erik Fleming, a rehabilitation counselor, has been sentenced to two years in prison for supplying ketamine to actor Matthew Perry prior to his death.

The sentence was handed down in a federal court in Los Angeles following legal proceedings regarding the distribution of the drug to the Friends star.

Fleming pleaded guilty in 2024 to one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death and one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. In court documents, he admitted to distributing the ketamine that led to Perry’s death.

The investigation revealed a chain of distribution involving multiple parties. Fleming obtained the drugs from Jasveen Sangha, a drug dealer known as the Ketamine Queen, and distributed 50 vials to Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa.

Court records indicate that half of those vials were distributed to Iwamasa four days before Perry died.

Matthew Perry, who was 54 years old, was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home on October 28, 2023. He was later pronounced dead, with the primary cause of death attributed to the acute effects of ketamine.

Medical examiners also listed coronary artery disease and drowning as other contributing factors in the actor’s death.

The prosecution of those involved in the case began in August 2024, when five individuals were charged in connection with the death. These individuals included Fleming, Sangha, Iwamasa, and doctors Salvador Plasencia and Mark Chavez.

Jasveen Sangha received a 15-year prison sentence last month. Prosecutors alleged that Sangha continued to sell drugs even after learning she had sold the substances that caused Perry’s death.

Ahead of his own sentencing, Fleming submitted a letter to the court explaining his actions. He stated that he had struggled with addiction in his own life and was desperate for money during the period in question.

Fleming claimed he was in the midst of a relapse in October 2023. He also told the court he felt overwhelmed with grief and shame upon learning of Perry’s passing.

In his correspondence, Fleming wrote: I knew what I had done and understood how much pain his death would cause to the people who loved him and added, To Matt’s family, I am very sorry for my inexcusable behaviour in this case.

I take full responsibility for my criminal acts. I hope my sentence provides some measure of justice and peace for everyone who loved Matt. It’s truly a nightmare I can’t wake up from. I’m haunted by the mistakes I made. Erik Fleming

The court noted that Fleming cooperated with authorities by identifying Sangha immediately following his own arrest. This proves believed that this cooperation influenced his sentence, as he may have faced a four-year term had he not assisted the investigation.

Following the news of Perry’s death, several of his former co-stars from Friends posted tributes on Instagram, including David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, and Matt LeBlanc.

For those seeking help, advice, or more information regarding addiction, resources are available via SAMHSA in the United States and the FRANK website in the United Kingdom.