Ketamine Queen gets 15 years for Matthew Perry's death

Jasveen Sangha, known as the 'Ketamine Queen', received a 15-year prison sentence for her role in supplying the ketamine that led to Matthew Perry's death. This sentence is a significant consequence for her actions.
By Newsroom | Crime, Celebrity News |

Jasveen Sangha, identified as the 'Ketamine Queen,' has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for her role in supplying the fatal dose of ketamine that contributed to the overdose death of actor Matthew Perry. The sentence, handed down on Wednesday, marks the culmination of a legal process three years after Perry's passing.

Matthew Perry's stepmother urges judge to give 'Ketamine Queen' maximum sentence in emotional victim impact statement three years after his death - 1

Sangha's conviction stems from multiple charges, including distributing ketamine resulting in death or serious bodily injury. Prosecutors argued for the maximum sentence, citing Sangha's alleged "cold callousness and disregard for life," and presented evidence of her continued drug trafficking operations from a North Hollywood residence since at least 2019. This included the discovery of a substantial quantity of drugs and paraphernalia during a search of her home. She admitted to selling 51 vials of ketamine to Perry's personal assistant in the days preceding his death.

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Matthew Perry's stepmother urges judge to give 'Ketamine Queen' maximum sentence in emotional victim impact statement three years after his death - 2

Stepmother's Plea for Maximum Punishment

In a deeply emotional victim impact statement, Debbie Perry, Matthew Perry's stepmother, urged the judge to impose the harshest possible penalty on Sangha. Debbie Perry articulated the profound and "irreversible" pain the family has endured since the actor's death in 2023 at the age of 54. She questioned Sangha's capacity for joy, stating, "How will you ever find joy – have you ever found joy?" The sentiment underscores the family's grief and their perception of Sangha's alleged lack of remorse, as indicated by prosecutors who pointed to recorded jail communications suggesting an attempt to profit from the case.

Matthew Perry's stepmother urges judge to give 'Ketamine Queen' maximum sentence in emotional victim impact statement three years after his death - 3

Broader Network and Other Convictions

Sangha is one of five individuals implicated in a network that allegedly supplied ketamine to Perry, exploiting his known struggles with addiction. Among those convicted are medical doctors and Perry's former live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa. Dr. Salvador Plasencia was previously sentenced to 30 months in jail for illegally supplying ketamine to Perry in the weeks before his death. Iwamasa has also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and awaits his own sentencing. Prosecutors have suggested Sangha's operations extended beyond Perry, impacting numerous other individuals.

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Matthew Perry's stepmother urges judge to give 'Ketamine Queen' maximum sentence in emotional victim impact statement three years after his death - 4

Defense Arguments and Sentencing Context

While prosecutors sought a 15-year sentence, Sangha's defense team reportedly argued for time served, highlighting her lack of a prior criminal record. Sangha, who admitted to a separate fatal ketamine sale in 2019, is reported to have shown remorse during the sentencing hearing, with relatives of Perry present. The judge noted Sangha's lack of remorse since her arrest. The maximum potential sentence Sangha faced was up to 65 years. Perry's biological mother, Suzanne Perry, and other relatives have largely focused on honoring his legacy through his foundation and advocacy for addiction recovery.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why was Jasveen Sangha, the 'Ketamine Queen', sentenced to 15 years in prison?
Jasveen Sangha was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for distributing ketamine that resulted in the death of actor Matthew Perry. She admitted to selling 51 vials of ketamine to Perry's assistant shortly before his death.
Q: What did Matthew Perry's stepmother say at the sentencing hearing?
Matthew Perry's stepmother, Debbie Perry, spoke emotionally at the sentencing, urging the judge to give Sangha the maximum penalty. She described the family's ongoing pain and questioned Sangha's ability to find joy.
Q: Who else was involved in supplying drugs to Matthew Perry?
Jasveen Sangha was part of a group implicated in supplying ketamine to Perry. Others convicted include Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who received 30 months, and Perry's former assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, who pleaded guilty.
Q: What was the defense's argument for Jasveen Sangha's sentence?
Sangha's defense team argued for time served, noting her lack of a prior criminal record. While she admitted to a separate fatal ketamine sale in 2019, she reportedly showed remorse during sentencing, though the judge noted a lack of remorse since her arrest.