Jasveen Sangha, the notorious Los Angeles drug dealer known in underground circles as the “Ketamine Queen,” has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges stemming from the overdose death of Friends star Matthew Perry. The plea deal makes her the fifth and final defendant in the high-profile case to accept responsibility for their role in the actor’s tragic passing.
Sangha, 42, consented to plead guilty to five federal charges, including one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, three counts of ketamine distribution, and one count of distribution resulting in death or serious bodily injury. Prosecutors say the charges could carry a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison, though they plan to seek a lesser term. Sangha is expected to formally enter her plea in the coming weeks, with sentencing set for later this year.
Perry, 54, was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home on October 28, 2023. The medical examiner ruled his death an accident, caused primarily by the acute effects of ketamine, compounded by underlying coronary artery disease and buprenorphine use.
Investigators later uncovered a drug supply chain that had funneled large quantities of ketamine to Perry despite his well-documented struggles with addiction. Federal authorities accused Sangha and her co-defendants of exploiting Perry’s vulnerabilities for profit.
Court records describe Sangha as running a sophisticated drug operation out of her North Hollywood apartment — dubbed the “Sangha Stash House” by prosecutors. Authorities said she packaged and sold ketamine, methamphetamine, cocaine, and counterfeit prescription pills to an elite clientele.
A raid on her home uncovered more than 80 ketamine vials, thousands of pills, and a money-counting machine. One co-defendant told investigators that Sangha “only deals with high-end and celebs.”
In her plea agreement, Sangha admitted to collaborating with co-defendant Erik Fleming to sell 51 vials of ketamine to Perry’s live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, in October 2023. Iwamasa, who had no medical training, injected Perry with the drug in the days leading up to his death.
On the morning of October 28, Iwamasa administered at least three doses before leaving the home. He returned to find Perry lifeless in the jacuzzi. Toxicology results revealed ketamine levels in Perry’s system consistent with general anesthesia.
After learning of Perry’s death from news reports, Sangha attempted to erase her digital trail, instructing Fleming to “delete all our messages” and trying to scrub communications on the encrypted app Signal.
Prosecutors also tied Sangha to a separate fatal overdose. In August 2019, she sold ketamine to 33-year-old Los Angeles resident Cody McLaury, who died just hours later. In that case, authorities said, Sangha’s knowledge of ketamine’s dangers long before Perry’s death.
Sangha’s plea caps a federal case involving five defendants facing 23 charges. The others include two doctors — Dr. Salvador Plasencia and Dr. Mark Chavez — both of whom admitted to illegally supplying Perry with ketamine, as well as Fleming and Iwamasa.
Dr. Plasencia, known to Perry as “Dr. P,” admitted to personally injecting the actor despite witnessing adverse side effects. In messages obtained by investigators, he coldly speculated “how much this moron will pay” for continued supplies.
Sangha’s attorney, Mark Geragos, issued a short statement following the plea deal: “She’s taking responsibility for her actions.” The plea represents a dramatic reversal for Sangha, who initially pleaded not guilty and denied any connection to Perry.
As part of her agreement, signed August 14, 2025, Sangha acknowledged: “I am guilty because I am guilty of the charges.” She will also be required to pay restitution to the families of both Perry and McLaury.
The case has cast a spotlight on the growing dangers of ketamine abuse and the targeting of celebrities by drug traffickers. Law enforcement officials say Perry’s death has already spurred renewed efforts to crack down on illegal ketamine distribution in Los Angeles and beyond.
With Sangha’s guilty plea, prosecutors say the case has finally concluded. While Perry’s death continues to resonate with fans worldwide, authorities hope the outcome sends a message: dealers who knowingly exploit addiction for profit will be held accountable.
