A woman accused of running a high-end drug supply network in Los Angeles has been handed a 15-year prison term after admitting her role in the chain of events that led to the overdose death of Matthew Perry, bringing renewed focus on how his long battle with addiction was exploited.
Jasveen Sangha, aged 42 and holding dual American and British citizenship, pleaded guilty to five offences, among them distributing ketamine that resulted in death or serious injury. Prosecutors told the court she operated from her North Hollywood residence, which they described as a hub where different drugs were sold to wealthy clients.
Perry, famous for playing Chandler Bing on the sitcom Friends, was found unresponsive in the hot tub at his Los Angeles home in October 2023. Investigations later confirmed that the cause of death was the acute effects of ketamine, a drug that is only meant to be used under proper medical supervision.
In court, Sangha broke into tears as members of Perry’s family addressed her directly. The judge said she had to take responsibility for her actions and pointed out that she had not shown remorse over the period since her arrest.
When it was her turn to speak, Sangha admitted her actions had caused deep pain, saying she felt ashamed and regretful for the consequences of her choices.
Ahead of sentencing, Perry’s stepmother, Debbie Perry, urged the court to impose the harshest punishment available, saying the harm caused could not be undone.
“You caused this... You who has talent for business enough to make money chose the one way that hurts people,” she said. “Please give this heartless woman the maximum prison sentence so she won't be able to hurt other families like ours.”
Investigators said a raid on Sangha’s home uncovered dozens of vials of ketamine, along with thousands of pills including methamphetamine, cocaine and Xanax. Authorities believe she had been supplying ketamine from the property since at least 2019.
Although she initially denied the accusations, Sangha changed her plea in August, weeks before her trial was due to begin. As part of that agreement, she also admitted selling ketamine in 2019 to Cody McLaury, who died shortly after from an overdose.
She had faced a possible 65-year sentence. Her defence team had asked for a reduced term, arguing she had accepted responsibility and had no previous criminal record. She has been in custody since August 2024.
Letters from family and friends were also presented in court, asking for leniency.
Sangha is one of five individuals identified by authorities as part of the network that supplied ketamine to Perry. Investigators say the group, which included doctors and close associates, took advantage of his addiction for financial gain.
Dr Salvador Plasencia, who provided ketamine to Perry in the weeks before his death, received a 30-month prison sentence in December. Another doctor, Mark Chavez, was sentenced to eight months of home detention and three years of supervised release after admitting he obtained the drug through a false prescription and sold it on.
Perry’s live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, who helped source and administer the drug, is expected in court later this month, though his lawyers have requested more time. Eric Fleming, who is accused of passing on ketamine obtained from Sangha to Perry, is due to be sentenced in June.
