Fact Check: Dr. Salvador Plasencia will plead guilty to four counts of distribution of ketamine in federal court in Los Angeles, with a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.

Fact Check: Dr. Salvador Plasencia Will Plead Guilty to Four Counts of Distribution of Ketamine

What We Know

Dr. Salvador Plasencia has agreed to plead guilty to four counts of distribution of ketamine, as outlined in a plea agreement filed in federal court in Los Angeles. This decision comes in the wake of his involvement in supplying the drug to actor Matthew Perry in the weeks leading up to Perry's death on October 28, 2023. According to federal prosecutors, the plea carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, although specific sentencing guarantees are not included in the plea deal (NPR, New York Times, Los Angeles Times).

Perry's death was ruled as resulting from the acute effects of ketamine, among other contributing factors. Reports indicate that Plasencia illegally supplied Perry with 20 vials of ketamine, lozenges, and syringes, and he had also injected Perry on multiple occasions (ABC News, BBC). The plea agreement was filed following a series of charges against multiple individuals connected to Perry's death, with Plasencia being one of the primary targets of the prosecution (Los Angeles Times).

Analysis

The claim that Dr. Salvador Plasencia will plead guilty to four counts of distribution of ketamine is substantiated by multiple reputable sources. The Associated Press, NPR, and the New York Times all report on the signed plea agreement, confirming the details of the charges and the potential maximum sentence (NPR, New York Times, ABC News).

The reliability of these sources is high; they are established news organizations known for their journalistic integrity. The Associated Press, for instance, is a well-respected wire service that adheres to strict editorial standards. The New York Times and NPR also have extensive fact-checking processes in place, which adds to the credibility of their reporting.

However, it is important to note that while the plea agreement has been filed, the formal plea is expected to occur in the coming weeks, and no specific court date has been set yet (Los Angeles Times). This means that while the claim is currently accurate, it is contingent upon the upcoming court proceedings.

Conclusion

The claim that Dr. Salvador Plasencia will plead guilty to four counts of distribution of ketamine, with a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, is True. This conclusion is based on multiple credible sources reporting the details of the plea agreement and the context surrounding the case.

Sources

1. Doctor who supplied ketamine to Matthew Perry will plead guilty
2. Doctor Who Gave Matthew Perry Ketamine Will Plead Guilty
3. California doctor to plead guilty to supplying Matthew Perry with ketamine
4. Doctor in Matthew Perry ketamine overdose case agrees to plead guilty
5. Matthew Perry's doctor agrees to plead guilty to ketamine distribution
6. Matthew Perry's doctor pleads guilty to ketamine distribution