May 14, (THEWILL) — Drug counsellor Erik Fleming has been sentenced to two years in prison for his role in the ketamine overdose death of “Friends” star Matthew Perry.
Fleming, 56, was sentenced in federal court in Los Angeles on Wednesday, May 13, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution resulting in death.
He was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release and pay a $200 penalty.
According to prosecutors, Fleming acted as a middleman between Perry and Jasveen Sangha, the drug dealer known as the “Ketamine Queen.”
He admitted supplying dozens of ketamine vials to Perry through the actor’s live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa.
Perry was found dead in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home in October 2023.
A medical examiner ruled that the 54-year-old actor died from the acute effects of ketamine, with drowning listed as a contributing factor.
During the hearing, Fleming told the court he was “haunted by the mistakes” he made and apologized to Perry’s family and fans.
Prosecutors had requested a sentence of two-and-a-half years, while Fleming’s lawyers asked for a shorter prison term and drug treatment.
Fleming is the fourth of five defendants to be sentenced in the case.
Perry’s former assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, is expected to be sentenced later this month after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death.
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
