Erik Fleming was sentenced to 2 years in prison on Wednesday in federal court in Los Angeles for his role in supplying ketamine linked to Matthew Perry’s death. The former licensed drug addiction counselor is the fourth of five people sentenced in the case, according to court records and prosecutors. [1, 2, 3]
Fleming pleaded guilty in August 2024 to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine resulting in death. Prosecutors said he bought ketamine vials from a dealer and sold them to Perry’s live-in personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, who injected Perry. [1, 2, 3]
Perry died in October 2023 from acute ketamine effects, which contributed to him losing consciousness and drowning in his hot tub. He was 54. Perry had publicly acknowledged decades of substance abuse. Ketamine is prescribed for depression and anxiety, but it is also used recreationally as an illicit party drug. [2, 3]
At the sentencing, Fleming said, "It’s truly a nightmare I can’t wake up from," and added, "I’m haunted by the mistakes I made" and that his actions "can’t compare to the agony I’ve caused." Judge Sherilyn Garnett handed down the sentence. [1, 2, 3]
Fleming will serve 3 years of supervised release after the prison term. Last month, Jasveen Sangha was sentenced to 15 years in prison, and Fleming’s sentence was shorter than the roughly 4 years he could have faced without cooperation. [1, 2, 3]
