Jasveen Sangha – Sentenced to 15 Years for Matthew Perry’s Death
A British-American woman who operated a drug distribution network from her North Hollywood home has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for supplying the ketamine that killed actor Matthew Perry. Jasveen Sangha, known among clients as the “Ketamine Queen,” pleaded guilty to five federal charges including distribution of ketamine resulting in death.
The sentencing on April 8, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett in Los Angeles marked a significant milestone in the multi-defendant case surrounding Perry’s fatal overdose in October 2023. Sangha, 42, had faced a maximum of 65 years behind bars before reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors.
Her case drew national attention not only because of Perry’s fame as a star of the television series “Friends,” but also due to the scale of her operation and the nickname she had acquired on the streets of Los Angeles.
Who Is Jasveen Sangha — the ‘Ketamine Queen’?
- Jasveen Sangha was sentenced to 15 years for selling the ketamine that killed “Friends” star Matthew Perry.
- She operated as a high-volume drug dealer in the Los Angeles area, earning the nickname “Ketamine Queen.”
- The case highlights the lethal risks of illicit ketamine use and the legal consequences for those who supply it.
- Sangha’s sentencing followed a guilty plea to charges of distribution of ketamine resulting in death.
- Co-conspirator Salvador Plasencia also admitted to involvement, revealing a network of illegal ketamine sales.
- Sangha admitted to selling ketamine to a man named Cody Mcury in August 2019, who died hours after the transaction.
- Federal agents discovered numerous vials of ketamine during a raid of her North Hollywood residence.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jasveen Sangha |
| Born | July 22, 1983 |
| Nationality | British-American |
| Alias | Ketamine Queen |
| Conviction | Distribution of ketamine resulting in death |
| Sentence | 15 years (180 months) |
| Sentencing Date | April 8, 2026 |
| Victim | Matthew Perry (died Oct 28, 2023) |
What Did Jasveen Sangha Do to Matthew Perry?
The Ketamine Supply Chain
Sangha, together with co-dealer Erik Fleming, sold Matthew Perry 51 vials of ketamine in October 2023. The drugs were delivered to Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry’s live-in assistant, who administered them to the actor. Court documents indicate that Sangha provided the specific dose of ketamine that caused Perry’s overdose at age 54.
A Known Pattern of Deadly Sales
This was not Sangha’s first involvement in a fatal ketamine transaction. She acknowledged selling ketamine to Cody Mcury in August 2019, who died from an overdose just hours after the purchase. Prosecutors noted that Sangha profited from Perry’s addiction and contributed to at least two deaths, though she was only charged in connection with one.
From Street Dealer to Main Supplier
According to court records, after Dr. Salvador Plasencia reduced his own ketamine distribution to Perry, Sangha became the main supplier in late 2023. She had been distributing injectable ketamine from her home since at least 2019, building a reputation that earned her the “Ketamine Queen” label among clients.
Sangha admitted to providing the specific dose of ketamine that caused Matthew Perry’s fatal overdose, as confirmed by reporting from the court proceedings. The plea agreement explicitly documented this admission.
How Was Jasveen Sangha Caught and Convicted?
Investigation and Initial Arrest
Law enforcement linked Sangha to Perry’s death through an investigation that traced the ketamine supply chain from the actor’s assistant back to the dealers. Sangha was initially arrested on drug charges in March 2024 and released on a $100,000 bond. But further evidence led to a federal indictment in August 2024, at which point she was taken into custody alongside four co-defendants.
Charges and Guilty Plea
On September 3, 2025, Sangha entered a guilty plea to five federal charges: one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, three counts of ketamine distribution, and one count of distribution resulting in death or serious injury. The maximum penalty she faced was 65 years in prison, though federal sentencing guidelines and the plea agreement ultimately shaped a far lower outcome.
Evidence in the Case
Federal agents who searched Sangha’s North Hollywood residence discovered numerous vials of ketamine, along with other evidence of drug trafficking. The U.S. Department of Justice alleged that Sangha ran a long-running distribution network from her home, supplying injectable ketamine to clients across the Los Angeles area.
Probation services recommended a sentencing range of 14 to 17.5 years based on federal guidelines, which took into account the quantity of ketamine and other drugs found at her residence. The 15-year sentence fell within this range.
What Sentence Did Jasveen Sangha Receive?
Prison Term and Supervised Release
Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett sentenced Sangha to 15 years (180 months) in federal prison on April 8, 2026, followed by three years of supervised release. The sentence was notably less than the 65-year maximum she faced but aligned closely with the probation services’ recommended range of 14 to 17.5 years.
Court Reasoning
The court considered the severity of the offense — distribution of drugs that resulted in death — as well as Sangha’s prior involvement in the fatal overdose of Cody Mcury. Prosecutors emphasized that Sangha had profited from addiction and contributed to loss of life on more than one occasion. Sangha has been in federal detention since August 2024 and will receive credit for time served.
Appeal Possibilities
Sangha may have the right to appeal her sentence, though no appeal had been publicly filed as of the last available reports. Legal experts note that guilty pleas often limit the grounds available for appeal, making a successful challenge less likely.
The sentence of 15 years reflects the “distribution resulting in death” enhancement under federal law, which carries a mandatory minimum of 20 years in some circumstances, reduced here due to the plea agreement.
Who Else Was Charged and What Happens Next?
The Co-Conspirators
Sangha was one of five individuals who supplied ketamine to Perry. The network included medical professionals as well as Perry’s own assistant. Dr. Salvador Plasencia, known as “Dr. P,” was sentenced to 30 months in prison in December 2025 for treating Perry and facilitating ketamine access. Dr. Mark Chavez, a ketamine clinic owner who sold ketamine to Plasencia, received 8 months of home confinement, three years of probation, and 300 hours of community service.
Awaiting Sentencing
Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry’s live-in assistant who administered the ketamine, has seen his sentencing delayed and is awaiting a later date. Erik Fleming, the co-dealer who worked with Sangha to sell the 51 vials, is scheduled for sentencing in June 2026. Sangha’s 15-year sentence marks the third individual sentenced in the multi-defendant case.
What Is the Timeline of the Jasveen Sangha Case?
- July 22, 1983: Jasveen Sangha born
- Pre-2023: Sangha becomes known as the Ketamine Queen, operating a drug dealing ring from North Hollywood
- October 28, 2023: Matthew Perry dies from acute effects of ketamine
- March 2024: Sangha arrested on drug charges; released on $100,000 bond
- August 2024: Re-indicted with four co-defendants; taken into federal custody
- September 3, 2025: Entered guilty plea to five federal charges
- December 10, 2025: Original sentencing date (delayed)
- February 25, 2026: First rescheduled sentencing date (delayed)
- April 8, 2026: Sentenced to 15 years by Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett, plus 3 years supervised release
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear About Sangha’s Role?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Jasveen Sangha pleaded guilty to distribution of ketamine resulting in death | Whether she personally knew Matthew Perry or only dealt through intermediaries is not fully clarified in public records |
| She sold ketamine to Matthew Perry in the weeks before his death | The exact quantity of ketamine supplied beyond “dozens of vials” is not specified |
| She was sentenced to 15 years on April 8, 2026 | Further details about her drug network beyond co-conspirator Salvador Plasencia are limited |
What Does This Case Mean for Drug Enforcement in Hollywood?
The case underscores the legal risks for unlicensed drug distribution and the increased penalties when distribution results in death. Matthew Perry’s high profile brought national attention to illegal ketamine sales in Los Angeles, an issue that had largely operated in the shadows. Sangha’s “Ketamine Queen” persona, as documented in court filings, reflects the scale of her operation and the brazenness with which she conducted business.
This sentencing may serve as a deterrent for other street-level dealers, though critics argue broader systemic changes are needed to address the underlying demand and the network of medical professionals who facilitated access. The involvement of doctors like Plasencia and Chavez highlights the intersection of legitimate medicine and illicit drug distribution that often complicates such cases.
For readers interested in other high-profile criminal cases involving sentencing and legal fallout, see the case of Huw Edwards – Biography, Charges, Sentencing and Fallout and the story of Lucy Connolly – Jailed for Inciting Racial Hatred After Southport Murders.
What Do Official Sources Say About the Case?
“A San Fernando Valley woman was sentenced today to 180 months in federal prison for her long-running drug dealing activities.”
— U.S. Department of Justice press release, April 8, 2026
“Jasveen Sangha was found guilty of selling drugs that killed Friends actor Matthew Perry.”
— BBC News
“A woman known as the ‘Ketamine Queen’… has been sentenced to 15 years.”
— Sky News
What Is the Bottom Line on Jasveen Sangha’s Case?
Jasveen Sangha, the British-American drug dealer known as the Ketamine Queen, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for supplying the ketamine that killed Matthew Perry. Her case, which involved five co-conspirators including doctors and the actor’s own assistant, highlights the lethal dangers of unregulated ketamine sales and the serious legal consequences that follow when distribution results in death. With two co-conspirators still awaiting sentencing, the legal proceedings surrounding Perry’s overdose continue to unfold. For a broader perspective on federal drug sentencing, one can examine how similar cases have been adjudicated in the U.S. justice system.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jasveen Sangha
Why is Jasveen Sangha called the Ketamine Queen?
She earned the nickname due to her extensive operation selling large quantities of ketamine in the Los Angeles area, as noted in court documents and media reports.
How old is Jasveen Sangha?
She was born July 22, 1983, making her 42 years old at the time of sentencing in April 2026.
How much ketamine did she supply?
According to court filings, she provided “dozens of vials” of ketamine to Matthew Perry in the weeks before his death. Exact quantities have not been publicly detailed.
Did Jasveen Sangha know Matthew Perry?
It is not confirmed that she personally knew Perry; the drug transactions were likely facilitated through intermediaries. Court documents refer to her as a supplier but do not specify a direct relationship.
Can Jasveen Sangha appeal her sentence?
She may have the right to appeal, but no appeal has been publicly filed as of the last available reports. Legal experts note that guilty pleas often limit appeal grounds.
Who else was charged in connection with Matthew Perry’s death?
Co-conspirators included Dr. Salvador Plasencia, Dr. Mark Chavez, Kenneth Iwamasa (Perry’s assistant), and Erik Fleming. Plasencia and Chavez have been sentenced; Iwamasa and Fleming are still awaiting sentencing.
What is the legal significance of the sentence?
The 15-year sentence is substantial for a non-violent drug dealer and reflects the “distribution resulting in death” enhancement under federal law, which carries a mandatory minimum of 20 years in some cases, reduced to 15 due to the plea agreement.
Where was Jasveen Sangha living when she was arrested?
She resided in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, where she operated her drug distribution network from her home.
What was Jasveen Sangha’s nationality?
She is British-American and holds dual citizenship in the United States and the United Kingdom.
When was Jasveen Sangha sentenced?
She was sentenced on April 8, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett in the Central District of California.
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