Matthew Perry’s drug counsellor sentenced to jail for actor’s overdose

A man linked to the overdose death of Friends actor Matthew Perry has reportedly been sentenced to two years in prison in the United States.

According to US media reports, Erik Fleming was among five individuals charged following Perry’s death. Prosecutors said Fleming obtained ketamine from a Los Angeles dealer known as the “Ketamine Queen” before supplying the drug to the actor.

The 56-year-old drug counsellor pleaded guilty in August 2024 to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.

In addition to the prison term, a federal judge sentenced Fleming to three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay a $200 penalty.

Perry’s death

Matthew Perry was found dead in the jacuzzi of his Southern California home in October 2023. Authorities later determined that his death resulted from the acute effects of ketamine.

During sentencing, prosecutors had sought a prison term of two and a half years, while Fleming’s lawyers requested a reduced sentence involving three months in prison followed by nine months in a residential drug treatment facility.

According to reports by the Associated Press, Fleming addressed the court on Wednesday, telling Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett:

“It’s truly a nightmare I can’t wake up from. I’m haunted by the mistakes I made.”

Fleming expresses remorse

In court documents filed ahead of sentencing, Fleming’s legal team stated that he had gone to “extreme lengths to atone for his criminal conduct.”

In a personal letter submitted to the judge in April, Fleming described his actions as the “biggest mistake” of his life and apologised for the pain caused by his involvement.

“I made the biggest mistake of my life, and I am so deeply sorry for the hurt I have caused,” he wrote.

Fleming also said he was overwhelmed with grief and shame after learning of Perry’s death, admitting that he supplied the ketamine partly for financial gain and because he believed he was helping a friend.

He further apologised for what he described as “inexcusable behavior” and accepted responsibility for his actions.

“I hope my sentence provides some measure of justice and peace for everyone who loved Matt,” he added.

Wider investigation

Fleming is one of five people accused by US authorities of supplying ketamine to Perry and allegedly profiting from the actor’s addiction struggles.

The case has involved several individuals, including medical doctors and Perry’s personal assistant.

Last month, Jasveen Sangha — the dealer prosecutors referred to as the “Ketamine Queen” — was sentenced to 15 years in prison for selling drugs linked to Perry’s death.

Meanwhile, Dr Salvador Plasencia, who admitted supplying ketamine to the actor in the weeks before his death, received a 30-month prison sentence in December.

Another doctor, Dr Mark Chavez, was sentenced to eight months of home detention and three years of supervised release for selling ketamine connected to the case.

Perry’s former live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, is expected to be sentenced on May 27 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death.