"Ketamine Queen" Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison
Jasveen Sangha, 42, identified as the “Ketamine Queen,” was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison on Wednesday in Los Angeles. The sentencing stems from her role in supplying ketamine that led to the death of actor Matthew Perry approximately two and a half years ago.
U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett stated that Sangha appeared to be among the most culpable defendants in the case, aligning with prosecutors' request for a sentence one year longer than the 14 years recommended by federal probation officials.
U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett stated that Sangha appeared to be among the most culpable defendants in the case.
Defense Challenges Culpability
Defense lawyer Mark Geragos argued for a more lenient sentence, suggesting it was unfair to characterize Sangha as the primary offender. He noted co-defendants included two doctors and Perry's former assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, who administered the fatal dose. Geragos also highlighted that Sangha was the only defendant held in custody since the criminal case was unsealed in August 2024. He contended that Perry's addiction was a significant factor and questioned the logic of deeming the drug supplier more culpable than the person who injects the drug.
Victim Impact Statements
Matthew Perry's stepfather, Keith Morrison, delivered a victim impact statement. He described the actor as a “funny and brilliant person” who battled addiction, highlighting Perry's periods of sobriety, including writing a play and a best-selling memoir. Morrison conveyed the family's ongoing grief and addressed Sangha directly, stating, “I don’t hate you,” but emphasizing her role in supplying drugs to an addict.
Kimberly McLaury, sister of Cody McLaury, also gave a victim impact statement. She recounted reviewing her brother’s phone after his death, discovering communications with Sangha, and sending a message indicating that the ketamine Sangha sold had caused his death.
Kimberly McLaury stated, “Had you stopped selling ketamine when I texted you, none of us would be here today.”
Sangha, in her address to the court, expressed learning from her “poor decisions” and a desire to make amends, acknowledging she had “shattered people’s lives.”
Sentencing Details and Plea
In addition to the 15-year prison term, Sangha will serve three years of supervised release. Her terms include prohibition from using encrypted messaging applications, mandatory drug testing, mental health treatment, and electronic device searches. The judge declined her request for temporary release for a medical procedure before self-surrender.
Sangha pleaded guilty to five federal criminal charges in September. She admitted to supplying a large quantity of ketamine to Perry, including the fatal dose, and selling four vials of the drug to Cody McLaury in August 2019. McLaury died hours later from a mixed drug overdose with acute ketamine toxicity.
Matthew Perry, known for his role as Chandler Bing in “Friends,” died on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54. His autopsy determined the cause of death was the acute effects of ketamine.
The Conspiracy and Aftermath
Her plea agreement detailed Sangha's conspiracy with Erik Fleming, 55, to sell ketamine to Perry in October 2023. She admitted to supplying 51 vials that were delivered to Iwamasa, who administered at least three intramuscular injections to Perry on the day of his death.
After Perry's fatal overdose, Sangha reportedly contacted Fleming via Signal and adjusted her encrypted messaging app settings to automatically delete messages. She also instructed Fleming to “delete all our messages,” according to forensic evidence.
Co-Defendants' Status
Erik Fleming pleaded guilty on August 8, 2024, to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distributing ketamine resulting in death; his sentencing is scheduled for April 29.
Kenneth Iwamasa, who previously entered a plea agreement, pleaded guilty on August 7, 2024, to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine resulting in death. He admitted to repeatedly injecting Perry without medical training. His sentencing is scheduled for April 22.
The broader criminal investigation also implicated two medical doctors. Dr. Salvador Plasencia was sentenced to 30 months in prison last December, while Dr. Mark Chavez received eight months of home detention and three years of supervised release. Both pleaded guilty to selling significant amounts of liquid ketamine to Perry before his purchases from Sangha.
Courtroom Disagreements
Sangha's legal team challenged the quantity of drugs attributed to her, arguing that only 27 pills were tested from over three pounds of suspected methamphetamine. They also contested an enhancement for running a drug-involved premises, asserting that drug distribution was not proven to be the primary use of her North Hollywood apartment, despite the presence of drugs, cash, and packaging materials. The judge overruled this objection, noting Sangha’s use of an external lockbox for drug deliveries.
Prosecutors countered that Sangha's defense sought to portray her as a victim. They maintained that testing a sample of thousands of identical pills was standard practice and that the argument for testing every pill was without merit. Prosecutors additionally presented evidence of a recorded jail call from Christmas Day 2024, where Sangha discussed selling book rights and trademarking, which they cited as indicating a lack of remorse.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian Yanniello argued Sangha was the “most culpable,” driven by “herself and profit.”