It’s been 14 months since Friends star Matthew Perry passed away at his home in Los Angeles.
Now, the medical professionals who allegedly had a hand in his death are finally being brought to justice.
But family, friends, and fans of the late star might feel that the punishment handed down today does not fit the severity of the crime.
According to a new report from TMZ, Dr. Salvador Plasencia was sentenced to 30 months in prison today after striking a plea deal with prosecutors.
Plasencia pled guilty to four counts of distributing ketamine back in July, admitting that he had prescribed the drug to Perry shortly before the 54-year-old drowned in his hot tub.
In exchange for the plea, prosecutors dropped three other ketamine distribution charges and two counts of falsifying records.
Plasencia was taken into custody immediately after he was sentenced.
Perry’s mother, Suzanne, and his stepfather, Keith Morrison, of Dateline fame, were both in attendance for the sentencing.
Both slammed Plasencia as “greedy” in a victim impact statement that was filed with the court ahead of today’s sentencing.
The Plasencia case is controversial for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that the doctor got off with a surprisingly light sentence.
In addition, Plasencia was initially ordered to turn in his medical license 30 to 45 days after pleading guilty.
But in a bizarre twist, authorities allowed him to reopen his practice in August as long as he abided by certain restrictions.
One requirement was that the doctor inform all of his patients that he had recently pled guilty to federal charges.
Plasencia is the first person sentenced in connection to Perry’s death 2023.
But he likely won’t be the last.
Several other purveyors and medical professionals are facing charges, including Dr. Mark Chavez, Perry’s assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, alleged drug dealer Erik Fleming, and the self-proclaimed “Ketamine Queen” of So-Cal, Jasveen Sangha
We will have further updates on this developing story as new information becomes available.