May 28, (THEWILL) — Kenneth Iwamasa, the former live-in assistant to “Friends” star, Matthew Perry, has been sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for his role in the actor’s fatal ketamine overdose.
Iwamasa was the first person to plead guilty in the case and the last of five defendants to be sentenced.
A judge in Los Angeles sentenced Iwamasa, 60, on Wednesday, May 27. He also received two years of supervised release and was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. He is expected to report to prison on July 17.
Iwamasa pleaded guilty in August 2024 to conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death. Prosecutors said he repeatedly injected Perry with ketamine despite having no medical training.
Perry was found dead in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home on October 28, 2023. An autopsy found he died from the acute effects of ketamine, with drowning listed as a contributing factor.
During the hearing, Iwamasa apologised to Perry’s family and said he would regret his actions for the rest of his life.
Federal prosecutors said Iwamasa injected Perry multiple times on the day he died before leaving the home. Court documents stated that Perry had asked for “a big one” before entering the jacuzzi.
Others charged in the case included alleged drug dealer, Jasveen Sangha, known as the “Ketamine Queen,” who received 15 years in prison, and two doctors accused of illegally supplying ketamine to the actor.
The sentencing brings the criminal case surrounding Perry’s death to a close, more than two years after the actor died at age 54.
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
