A licensed drug addiction counselor who admitted supplying ketamine connected to the death of actor Matthew Perry has been sentenced to two years in federal prison.
Erik Fleming, 56, received the sentence Wednesday in federal court in Los Angeles for his role in distributing ketamine that prosecutors said contributed to the “Friends” star’s fatal overdose in 2023.
The sentencing marks another major development in the criminal investigation surrounding Perry’s death at his Los Angeles home.
Sentence
U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett sentenced Fleming to two years in prison and three years of supervised probation.
The judge ordered Fleming, who had remained free on bond, to surrender within 45 days to begin serving his sentence.
Before sentencing, Fleming addressed the court and expressed regret over his actions.
“It’s truly a nightmare I can’t wake up from,” he said. “I’m haunted by the mistakes I made.”
Fleming became the fourth defendant sentenced among five people who pleaded guilty in connection with Perry’s death.
Role
Prosecutors said Fleming acted as a middleman who connected Perry to Jasveen Sangha, a drug dealer prosecutors referred to as the “Ketamine Queen.”
Authorities said Fleming delivered ketamine from Sangha’s residence to Perry’s home and profited by increasing the price of the drugs.
According to court records, Fleming supplied Perry’s live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, with multiple ketamine shipments, including 25 vials sold for $6,000 just days before the actor died.
Defendants in the Case
| Defendant | Role in Case | Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Erik Fleming | Delivered ketamine | 2 years prison |
| Jasveen Sangha | Drug supplier | 15 years prison |
| Kenneth Iwamasa | Personal assistant | Sentencing pending |
Cooperation
Fleming’s cooperation with investigators became a major factor during sentencing.
Defense attorney Robert Dugdale told the court that Fleming provided investigators with critical information about Sangha shortly after authorities located him months after Perry’s death.
“They didn’t have a clue who she was before that day,” Dugdale argued.
Federal prosecutors acknowledged that Fleming’s cooperation helped accelerate the investigation, although they argued he acted primarily to reduce his own legal exposure after being confronted by investigators.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian Yanniello told the court Fleming did not voluntarily come forward immediately after Perry’s death and only cooperated once authorities closed in on him.
The judge noted investigators may eventually have uncovered much of the same information through digital evidence, including Fleming’s cellphone records.
Investigation
Matthew Perry died on Oct. 28, 2023, at age 54 after being found unresponsive in a Jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home.
The Los Angeles County medical examiner ruled his death was caused by the acute effects of ketamine, with drowning listed as a secondary factor.
Investigators later determined Perry had been seeking additional ketamine treatments beyond what he legally received through medical providers.
According to prosecutors, Perry turned to associates and acquaintances to obtain more of the drug.
Fleming, a former film and television producer who later became a licensed addiction counselor, entered Perry’s circle during that period.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Oct. 2023 | Perry dies at Los Angeles home |
| Aug. 2024 | Fleming pleads guilty |
| Apr. 2026 | Jasveen Sangha sentenced |
| May 2026 | Fleming sentenced to prison |
Background
Defense attorneys described Fleming as someone struggling with his own relapse and personal difficulties at the time of the crimes.
Lawyers argued he had no prior criminal record and acted as a drug dealer for only a short period involving a single customer.
Fleming told the judge his actions occurred during “the worst time” of his life and said he deeply regretted the harm caused.
Outside court, Fleming stated that he continues to feel emotional pain over Perry’s death and the suffering caused to the actor’s family and fans.
His legal team also highlighted his reported sobriety during the past 20 months and his involvement in helping establish a sober living facility.
Perry
Matthew Perry became internationally known for playing Chandler Bing on the NBC sitcom “Friends,” which aired from 1994 through 2004 and became one of television’s most successful comedy series.
In later years, Perry publicly discussed his long struggle with addiction and substance abuse treatment.
He had reportedly been receiving medically supervised ketamine therapy for depression, a treatment increasingly used in some mental health settings.
Prosecutors said Perry later sought larger quantities of ketamine outside medical supervision, leading to the illegal drug transactions at the center of the case.
Remaining Case
The final remaining defendant connected to the investigation is Perry’s former assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa.
According to prosecutors, Iwamasa administered ketamine injections to Perry using drugs obtained through Fleming and Sangha.
Court records state Iwamasa injected Perry with ketamine from one of the supplied batches hours before the actor was found dead.
His sentencing is expected within the coming weeks, which would formally conclude the criminal prosecutions tied to the case.
FAQs
Who was sentenced in Matthew Perry’s death case?
Drug counselor Erik Fleming was sentenced.
How long is Fleming’s prison sentence?
He was sentenced to two years in prison.
What caused Matthew Perry’s death?
Ketamine effects and drowning caused his death.
Who was called the ‘Ketamine Queen’?
Drug supplier Jasveen Sangha received that nickname.
When did Matthew Perry die?
Perry died on Oct. 28, 2023.
Trump Says Americans’ Finances Are Not Driving Iran Negotiations