BBC
A drug counsellor implicated in the tragic overdose death of Matthew Perry has received a two-year prison sentence, according to reports from US media outlets.
Erik Fleming was one of five individuals charged following Perry's untimely demise. He was found to have sourced the anesthetic ketamine from a Los Angeles woman known in drug circles as the "Ketamine Queen" and provided it to the actor. In August 2024, the 56-year-old pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.
In addition to the prison sentence, a federal judge has mandated that Fleming undergo three years of supervised release and pay a $200 fine.
Matthew Perry's life was cut short when he was discovered deceased in his backyard jacuzzi in southern California in October 2023. The cause of death was officially attributed to the acute effects of ketamine.
During the sentencing phase, prosecutors advocated for a two-and-a-half-year prison term for Fleming, while his defense counsel requested a reduced sentence of three months in prison complemented by nine months in a residential drug rehabilitation facility.
Fleming expressed profound remorse during his court appearance, 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."
In a memorandum submitted prior to the sentencing, Fleming's attorneys asserted that he has taken significant steps to make amends for his conduct. In an April letter to the judge, he acknowledged, "I made the biggest mistake of my life, and I am so deeply sorry for the hurt I have caused." He conveyed that he was "overwhelmed with grief and shame" upon learning of Perry's passing, clarifying that his motivations for procuring ketamine were financial and that he believed he was helping a friend.
Taking full accountability for his "inexcusable behavior," Fleming expressed hope that his sentence would deliver some measure of justice and solace to those who loved Matthew Perry.
Fleming is among five individuals—including medical professionals and Perry's assistant—accused by US authorities of enabling Perry's drug addiction for profit, ultimately resulting in his overdose.
He is the fourth individual to be sentenced in this protracted legal matter, with all parties having entered guilty pleas in the federal case.
Just last month, Jasveen Sangha, 42, the dealer referred to as the "Ketamine Queen," was sentenced to 15 years in prison for her role in supplying drugs that contributed to the actor's death.
Additionally, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who provided ketamine to Perry in the weeks leading up to his death, was sentenced to 30 months in prison in December. Dr. Mark Chavez, another California physician who sold ketamine to Perry, received a sentence of eight months of home detention coupled with three years of supervised release.
Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry's live-in personal assistant alleged to have administered ketamine to the actor, is slated for sentencing on May 27 after pleading guilty to a count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death.
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