Erik Fleming Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Supplying Ketamine That Killed Matthew Perry

Erik Fleming, a licensed drug addiction counselor, was sentenced to two years in federal prison Wednesday for his role in supplying the ketamine that killed "Friends" star Matthew Perry. U.S. Fleming, who had remained free on bond for nearly two years, must report to prison within 45 days.

" He expressed remorse, telling the judge his regret "can't compare to the agony I've caused" Perry's family and friends. Outside the courthouse, Fleming said his "chest and heart hurt every day" for the pain inflicted on Perry's loved ones and fans.

The 56-year-old became the fourth of five defendants sentenced after pleading guilty in the case surrounding Perry's death on Oct. 28, 2023. Fleming connected Perry to Jasveen Sangha, a dealer prosecutors called "The Ketamine Queen," who was sentenced to 15 years last month.

He obtained ketamine from Sangha, increased the price to make a profit, and delivered it to Perry's live-in personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa. Four days before Perry's death, Fleming delivered 25 vials of ketamine for $6,000. Iwamasa administered injections from that batch to Perry, who was found dead hours later in the jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home.

A medical examiner determined the cause of death was the acute effects of ketamine, with drowning as a contributing factor. Fleming cooperated with authorities the same day investigators located him at his sister's home several months after the death.

" Fleming entered his guilty plea in August 2024 to one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death, becoming the first defendant to do so before arrests were announced. Prosecutors argued Fleming's cooperation was motivated by self-preservation rather than benevolence.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian Yanniello said, "Mr. Fleming didn't cooperate because he had a benevolent motive, or because he wanted justice for Mr. Perry. " The judge noted Fleming did not come forward voluntarily in the months after the death and that investigators might have obtained the same information from his phone.

Defense lawyers highlighted Fleming's lack of criminal record, his 20 months of sobriety, and efforts to establish a sober living facility. A former film and television producer, Fleming had retrained as a drug counselor after his own struggles with addiction.

Prosecutors emphasized the moral culpability of a trained addiction counselor selling drugs to someone with a well-known history of substance abuse.

Perry, who died at age 54, had been receiving ketamine treatments for depression but sought additional supplies beyond what doctors provided. A friend introduced him to Fleming, who was in the midst of a relapse triggered by personal struggles, including the death of his stepmother.

Fleming sold the ketamine directly to Iwamasa at Perry's residence. The case involved five people accused of supplying ketamine to Perry and exploiting his addiction. Iwamasa, the final defendant, is scheduled for sentencing in two weeks. Perry rose to fame portraying Chandler Bing on the NBC sitcom "Friends," which aired from 1994 to 2004.

>"It's truly a nightmare I can't wake up from. " — Erik Fleming, May 13, 2026 (AP) >"Mr. Fleming didn't cooperate because he had a benevolent motive, or because he wanted justice for Mr. Perry. " — Assistant U.S. All parties acknowledged that his information sped up and smoothed the investigation into the larger ketamine distribution network.

Fleming had requested a lighter sentence of three months in jail followed by a nine-month residential drug treatment program. The judge and prosecutors weighed Fleming's actions against his later rehabilitation efforts. Fleming had worked as a program director at a Bel-Air treatment center before the offenses.

His deliveries to Perry lasted only 11 days and involved a single customer, according to his legal team.