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Five persons have been charged with the killing of 'Friends' sitcom actor Matthew Perry.
According to CNN, the US Attorney's Office revealed the development on August 15, 2024, at a press conference in Los Angeles.
This comes after detectives revealed an underground network of drug sellers and suppliers who reportedly distributed the ketamine that killed the actor.
According to US Attorney Martin Estrada, the defendants "took advantage of Mr. Perry's addiction issues."
A statement by the US Attorney's Office said the defendants included two doctors, Perry's live-in personal assistant, and someone known as "The Ketamine Queen."
Three of the five suspects have reached a plea agreement and the other two defendants, namely Dr. Salvador Plasencia and Jasveen Sangha, were indicted on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.
Plasencia pleaded not guilty to charges including one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, seven counts of distribution of ketamine, and two counts of altering and falsifying documents or records related to the federal investigation.
He was held on a $100,000 unsecured bond and surrendered his DEA licence, which allowed him to prescribe controlled substances, on an order from Magistrates' Judge Alka Sagar.
His trial has since been set for October 8, 2024.
Sangha pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, one count of maintaining drug-involved premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute ketamine, and five counts of distribution of ketamine.
