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Jasveen Sangha, known as the Ketamine Queen, received a 15-year prison sentence for supplying ketamine that contributed to the death of actor Matthew Perry in 2023. Prosecutors described her as a major supplier in the case involving the Friends star's fatal overdose. The sentence marks the longest imposed among those charged in connection with Perry's death.
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewJasveen Sangha was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison on Friday for her role in supplying ketamine that led to the overdose death of actor Matthew Perry on October 28, 2023. The 41-year-old California resident, who operated an illicit ketamine distribution network, pleaded guilty in August to one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death. U.S.
District Judge Perry L. Crocker Jr. imposed the sentence in Los Angeles federal court. Sangha's operation involved selling ketamine to Perry on multiple occasions in the months before his death. Authorities found that Perry died from the acute effects of high levels of ketamine, with contributing factors including drowning and coronary artery disease.
U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles stated that Sangha supplied the fatal dose through an intermediary.
Case Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the NBC sitcom Friends from 1994 to 2004, had publicly discussed his long-term struggles with addiction.
He was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home, and the Los Angeles County coroner's office ruled his death accidental. Federal prosecutors charged five individuals in total, including Sangha, with offenses related to the supply of drugs to Perry.
Sangha's nickname, the Ketamine Queen, stemmed from her reputation among customers for providing high-quality ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic used recreationally and in medical settings.
Court documents revealed she sourced ketamine from a licensed supplier and repackaged it for illegal sale. Bloomberg reported that Sangha's network distributed the drug to celebrities and others in the entertainment industry.
Sangha was arrested in October 2023 alongside two associates, Salvador Plasencia and Mark Fleming, who faced related charges.
She agreed to a plea deal that acknowledged her responsibility for Perry's death without directly administering the drug. The New York Times noted that her sentence is the longest among those convicted in the case, surpassing penalties for other defendants.
“Sangha's actions contributed directly to the tragic and untimely death of Matthew Perry, a beloved actor and friend to many.”
Prosecutors highlighted text messages and financial records showing Sangha's involvement in over 20 transactions with Perry's assistant. The case drew attention due to Perry's fame and the broader implications for celebrity drug networks.
is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance in the United States, with legitimate medical uses for anesthesia and treatment-resistant depression. Illicit distribution has risen in recent years, particularly in California. The BBC reported that Perry had been receiving legal ketamine infusion therapy for depression prior to his death, but the levels in his system far exceeded therapeutic amounts.
Other defendants in the case include Perry's personal assistant, Brianne Sachi, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing. The investigation involved cooperation between federal agencies and local authorities. No contradictions appear in reporting on the sentence length or core facts of the case across sources.
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