A drug addiction counselor has been sentenced to two years in prison in connection with the overdose death of actor Matthew Perry. Erik Fleming, 56, was one of five individuals charged with supplying ketamine to Perry and exploiting his drug addiction.
Details of the sentencing
Fleming pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine in August 2024. A federal judge sentenced him to two years in prison, three years of supervised release, and imposed a $200 penalty. Prosecutors had sought a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence, while Fleming’s defense requested a lighter sentence of three months in prison followed by nine months in a residential drug treatment facility.
In court, Fleming expressed remorse, stating, “It’s truly a nightmare I can’t wake up from. I’m haunted by the mistakes I made.” Prior to sentencing, he wrote a letter to the judge apologizing for his actions and taking full responsibility. He said he procured ketamine for Perry because he wanted money and believed he was doing a favor for a friend. Fleming also expressed hope that his sentence would provide some measure of justice and peace for those who loved Perry.
Background of the case
Matthew Perry was found dead in his backyard jacuzzi in southern California in October 2023. The cause of death was determined to be the acute effects of ketamine. Fleming sourced the surgical anesthetic ketamine from a Los Angeles woman known as the “Ketamine Queen” and supplied it to Perry.
Fleming is the fourth person to be sentenced in the federal case involving Perry’s death. The case includes medical doctors and Perry’s personal assistant, all accused of supplying ketamine and exploiting Perry’s addiction for profit.
- Jasveen Sangha, the “Ketamine Queen,” was sentenced to 15 years in prison for selling drugs that led to Perry’s death.
- Dr. Salvador Plasencia received a 30-month prison sentence for supplying ketamine to Perry in the weeks before his death.
- Dr. Mark Chavez was sentenced to eight months of home detention and three years of supervised release.
- Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry’s personal live-in assistant accused of injecting Perry with ketamine, is scheduled for sentencing in late May after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death.
