A federal judge in Los Angeles has sentenced Jasveen Sangha to 15 years in federal prison for her role in supplying the ketamine that led to the 2023 overdose death of actor Matthew Perry. Sangha, described by prosecutors as running an elaborate operation catering to wealthy clients, pleaded guilty to multiple drug distribution charges, including distribution resulting in death.
U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett delivered the sentence on Wednesday, telling Sangha she would need to demonstrate "epic resilience" in the years ahead. The 42-year-old defendant is the third of five individuals to be sentenced after pleading guilty in connection with the actor's death. Her prison term is expected to be the longest among all defendants.
During the hearing, Sangha addressed the court, stating her actions "shattered people's lives and the lives of their family and friends." She told Judge Garnett she wears her shame "like a jacket." Prosecutors emphasized that Sangha's plea deal included a unique acknowledgment of causing Perry's death, distinguishing her case from her co-defendants.
Federal prosecutors portrayed Sangha as a central figure in a high-end drug distribution network, labeling her the "Ketamine Queen" in court documents. They argued her operation financed a luxury lifestyle despite her privileged background. Notably, prosecutors revealed that Sangha continued dealing drugs even after learning her ketamine contributed to two overdose deaths—first in 2019 with an unrelated victim, Cody McLaury, and again in 2023 following Perry's death.
Keith Morrison, Perry's stepfather and a veteran journalist for NBC's "Dateline," provided a victim impact statement to the court. He described a "daily, grinding sadness and sorrow" shared with Perry's mother, Suzanne. "There was a spark to that man I have never seen anywhere else," Morrison said. "He should have had another act. Two more acts."
The case reveals a complex supply chain. Perry had been receiving ketamine legally through a physician for off-label treatment of depression but sought additional supplies beyond his prescription. This search first led him to Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who was sentenced to two and a half years for illegally selling the actor ketamine. Perry ultimately purchased 25 vials of ketamine from Sangha for $6,000 in cash just four days before he was found dead in his Los Angeles home hot tub. The medical examiner ruled ketamine intoxication as the primary cause of death.
Judge Garnett indicated she carefully calibrated the sentences for all five defendants to create a coherent outcome for the overall case. Another physician who supplied Plasencia received eight months of home detention. Perry's personal assistant and a friend, who acted as intermediaries, are still awaiting sentencing.
Sangha's defense team argued that her time served since her August 2024 indictment should suffice, citing her lack of prior criminal record and good behavior in custody. They contended she was unlikely to return to drug dealing. The judge ultimately rejected this argument, siding with prosecutors who highlighted her continued criminal conduct despite knowing the fatal consequences.
The sentencing concludes a significant chapter in a case that exposed illicit drug networks operating among affluent circles. It also highlights ongoing legal and policy challenges surrounding controlled substance distribution, a topic of intense debate as lawmakers in both parties grapple with the nation's addiction crisis. This case intersects with broader healthcare and law enforcement discussions about prescription drug monitoring and the illegal diversion of pharmaceuticals.
As this domestic legal drama concludes, international affairs continue to present complex challenges. For instance, the State Department recently ordered Americans to leave Iraq via land routes due to escalating militia drone threats, while Senate Democrats moved to curtail presidential war authority regarding Iran. These parallel developments underscore the multifaceted nature of current political and security landscapes.
