Los Angeles Woman Faces Sentencing in Fatal Matthew Perry Ketamine Case

Jasveen Sangha, a Los Angeles resident known as the "Ketamine Queen," is scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday in federal court for illegally selling the drugs that led to the overdose death of "Friends" actor Matthew Perry in October 2023.

Sangha pleaded guilty last fall to five federal charges, including maintaining a drug-involved premises and several counts of distributing ketamine. Authorities with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California allege that Sangha continued distributing ketamine even after learning that Perry had died from an overdose linked to the drug she supplied.

Perry, 54, was found dead on October 28, 2023, at his Pacific Palisades home. According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, his death was caused by an accidental overdose of ketamine, which he had been using for depression and anxiety. Prosecutors said that, in the months leading up to his death, Perry developed a dependence on unsupervised ketamine doses obtained from Sangha and her associates.

Federal prosecutors are asking for a 15-year prison sentence and a subsequent three years of supervised release for Sangha, describing her as a "drug dealer who sold drugs that hurt people" and highlighting her “cold callousness and disregard for life.” Sangha’s defense team is requesting a lighter sentence, arguing for time served and stating that she has acknowledged the seriousness of her conduct.

Court documents reveal that Sangha, working with Erik Fleming, sold 51 vials of ketamine in the month Perry died and provided the drugs to Perry's personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, who administered injections to Perry in the period before his death. Both Fleming and Iwamasa also pleaded guilty to federal charges in August 2024 and await sentencing later this month.

Sangha, a dual U.S.-U.K. citizen who resided in North Hollywood, admitted in her plea agreement to distributing narcotics, including ketamine and methamphetamine, from her home since at least 2019. Prosecutors also note a separate 2019 case in which Sangha sold ketamine that resulted in another fatal overdose.

Sangha remains in federal custody as the sentencing hearing approaches. The case underscores rising national concern over off-label ketamine use and the involvement of illicit suppliers in high-profile overdose deaths. Sentencing for the two other defendants is scheduled for later this month.