Addiction Counsellor Sentenced to Two Years for Delivering Fatal Ketamine Dose to Matthew Perry

Addiction counsellor Erik Fleming has been sentenced to two years in prison for his role in the death of actor Matthew Perry, best known for his portrayal of Chandler Bing on the sitcom Friends. Perry, who died at the age of 54, received a fatal dose of ketamine from Fleming, who was responsible for supplying the drug.

Court Proceedings and Sentencing

Fleming was sentenced by Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett at a federal court in Los Angeles. During the proceedings, he expressed his remorse, stating, “It’s truly a nightmare I can’t wake up from,” and admitted to being “haunted” by his actions. The judge ordered Fleming to report to serve his sentence in 45 days and also imposed three years of probation. This sentencing marks him as the fourth of five defendants to plead guilty in connection with Perry’s death, which occurred in October 2023.

Connection to Drug Dealer

Fleming facilitated Perry’s access to Jasveen Sangha, a convicted drug dealer referred to by prosecutors as “The Ketamine Queen.” Sangha was sentenced to 15 years in prison the previous month. Following Perry’s death, Fleming cooperated with investigators, leading to the identification of Sangha. He was found at his sister’s home several months later, where he was reportedly sleeping on a couch.

Fleming was the first defendant to plead guilty, admitting to one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death in August 2024. His court appearance on Wednesday was the first since his involvement in the case became public.

Legal Arguments and Sentencing Guidelines

Fleming’s attorney, Robert Dugdale, argued that his client had provided crucial information to authorities, stating he “handed over the Ketamine Queen on a silver platter.” However, prosecutors contended that Fleming’s cooperation was not motivated by a desire for justice for Perry but rather a means to protect himself. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian Yanniello emphasized that Fleming’s actions were self-serving.

The judge noted that Fleming did not come forward immediately after Perry’s death and that the information he provided could have been obtained through other means, such as the seizure of his phone. Despite this, prosecutors acknowledged that his cooperation expedited the investigation.

Background on Matthew Perry’s Death

Matthew Perry had been undergoing ketamine treatments for depression, a practice that has gained popularity for off-label use. In the weeks leading up to his death, Perry sought additional doses beyond what was prescribed by his doctors. A friend introduced him to Fleming, who was then involved in supplying the drug.

Fleming, a former film and television producer, had previously struggled with addiction but had become a drug counsellor. However, he relapsed following the death of his stepmother in 2023, which had a significant emotional impact on him.

The Fatal Dose

Fleming would acquire ketamine from Sangha, marking up the price for profit before delivering it to Perry’s residence. Just days before Perry’s death, Fleming sold 25 vials of the drug for $6,000 to the actor’s personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa. On October 28, 2023, Iwamasa administered the drug to Perry, who was later found dead. A medical examiner’s report indicated that Perry’s death resulted from acute ketamine effects, with drowning as a contributing factor.

Iwamasa is scheduled to be sentenced in two weeks, marking the conclusion of the legal proceedings related to this case.

As reported by www.mirror.co.uk.

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Published on 2026-05-13 22:59:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk