Doctor in Matthew Perry case charged with surrendering passport

Matthew PerryThe sudden death from an overdose has serious legal consequences: one of the doctors accused of supplying the deceased star with medication must now hand over his passport.

This move comes as part of a wider action against the medical professionals involved in his tragic death, who had already lost their licence to prescribe medicines.

Authorities have demonstrated their determination to bring those responsible for Matthew Perry's fatal overdose to justice.

Dr. Mark Chavez appeared in federal court in Los Angeles on Friday as part of a plea agreement in Perry's death.

Standing next to his lawyer, Chavez acknowledged his rights before US Judge Jean P. Rosenbluth, who outlined the conditions of his release on bail. The conditions include that the 54-year-old must surrender his passport and give up his work as a doctor.

Related Press reported that Chavez has agreed to surrender his medical license. The San Diego doctor is one of two physicians accused of giving Perry drugs before the actor's tragic overdose.

Outside the courtroom, his lawyer Matthew Binninger stressed Chavez's remorse, saying: “He is incredibly remorseful. He is trying everything in his power to right the wrong that has happened here.”

Binninger added that although Chavez did not take official responsibility during his appearance, he is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation.

Chavez's appearance in court marks a crucial turning point in the investigation. As part of a deal, he agreed to cooperate with authorities and provide important intelligence against other key figures.

Those individuals included Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who was accused of supplying Perry with ketamine, and alleged drug trafficker Jasveen Sangha. Both Plasencia and Sangha have reportedly pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial.

This development follows similar agreements between Perry's assistant, who admitted to arranging ketamine injections, and a mutual acquaintance who acted as an intermediary.

Plasencia, who was released on bail, faces serious charges. Among other things, he is said to have supplied Perry's assistant Kenneth Iwamasa with ketamine and demonstrated how the drug was administered.

As The Blast reported, the U.S. Attorney's Office said Plasencia approached Chavez, who previously ran a ketamine clinic, to obtain the substances for Perry.

The charges against Plasencia, if convicted, could result in a sentence of up to 120 years in federal prison; the indictment includes seven counts of ketamine trafficking.

Alleged text messages between Plasencia and Chavez, including comments such as “I wonder how much this idiot is going to pay” and “Let’s find out,” further suggest their involvement.

The investigation into Perry's tragic overdose revealed disturbing details about his drug use. The actor's death was not only due to ketamine, but also other substances that were reportedly supplied to him by women he met on dating apps.

Sources close to the star claimed: “He [Perry] met girls through dating apps and invited them over. On Raya he met lots of 21 to 25 year olds. They brought drugs with them.”

The insiders also revealed that these women were not thoroughly searched when entering his home because private caregivers often lack the strict protocols of institutional facilities.

Perry's memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, provides a haunting look into his tumultuous relationship with ketamine. The Blast noted that Perry compared the experience to “being hit in the head with a giant scissor shovel.”

The 54-year-old originally tried to use ketamine to treat his anxiety and depression, but his use quickly developed into an addiction.

The actor described his sessions, which often involved him being blindfolded and hooked up to an IV while listening to music, and described the experience as a deep “giant exhale.”

He even noted that ketamine was tailor-made for him, claiming: “[It] “It has my name all over it – they might as well have called it 'Matty.'” Perry's fascination with the drug's hallucinogenic effects led him into a state of dissociation in which even bizarre visual experiences became normal.

As the investigation into Matthew Perry's overdose continues, the legal consequences for those involved are becoming increasingly severe.