BBC
A drug addiction counsellor has been sentenced to two years in prison following his involvement in the tragic overdose death of actor Matthew Perry, as reported by US media outlets.
Erik Fleming, aged 56, was one of five individuals charged in connection with Perry's death. He admitted to obtaining the surgical anesthetic ketamine from a Los Angeles supplier, referred to as the "Ketamine Queen," and distributing it to the actor. In August 2024, Fleming pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.
In addition to the prison sentence, a federal judge imposed three years of supervised release and a $200 fine on Fleming.
Matthew Perry was discovered deceased in his backyard jacuzzi in Southern California in October 2023. The official cause of death was determined to be the acute effects of ketamine.
Prosecutors had requested a two-and-a-half-year prison term for Fleming, while the defense sought a more lenient sentence of three months in prison, followed by nine months in a residential drug treatment facility.
During the court proceedings, Fleming expressed deep remorse, stating to Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett, "It's truly a nightmare I can't wake up from. I'm haunted by the mistakes I made," according to the Associated Press.
Ahead of his court appearance, Fleming's attorneys submitted a sentencing memorandum indicating that he has made significant efforts to atone for his actions.
In a letter to the judge written in April prior to his sentencing, Fleming stated, "I made the biggest mistake of my life, and I am so deeply sorry for the hurt I have caused." He conveyed feelings of being "overwhelmed with grief and shame" upon learning of Perry's death, noting that he had procured ketamine for the actor out of financial motivation and a misguided desire to assist a friend.
Fleming took full accountability for his actions, referring to his behavior as "inexcusable." He concluded by expressing hope that his sentence would offer some degree of justice and solace to those who cared for Perry.
Fleming is one of five individuals implicated in the case, which includes medical practitioners and Perry’s assistant, who are accused of providing ketamine to the actor and profiting from his drug addiction, ultimately leading to his overdose demise.
He is the fourth individual to be sentenced in this prolonged legal matter, with each having pleaded guilty in the federal case.
Most recently, Jasveen Sangha, 42, known as the "Ketamine Queen," received a 15-year prison sentence for her role in supplying drugs that contributed to Perry's death.
Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who also provided ketamine to Perry in the weeks preceding his death, received a sentence of 30 months in prison in December.
Additionally, Dr. Mark Chavez, a physician who sold ketamine to Perry, was sentenced in December to eight months of home detention, along with three years of supervised release.
Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry's live-in personal assistant accused of injecting the actor with ketamine, is scheduled for sentencing on May 27 after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death.
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