A California doctor has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges in connection with the fatal overdose of actor Matthew Perry, who was found dead last year with high levels of ketamine in his system.

According to court documents, Dr. Salvador Plasencia will formally admit to four felony counts of illegally distributing ketamine. The plea agreement outlines that he could face up to 40 years behind bars, be subject to a minimum $2 million fine, and serve three years of supervised release once out of prison.

Plasencia, indicted in 2023 on charges including conspiracy and falsifying records, is expected to officially enter his guilty plea in the coming weeks. While the agreement covers only Plasencia, one notable absence is a co-defendant labeled by prosecutors as the “Ketamine Queen.” Three others tied to the scheme—including Perry’s personal assistant—have already admitted guilt to conspiracy charges.

Salvador Plasencia.

Perry, 54, was receiving ketamine infusion therapy to manage depression and anxiety prior to his death on October 28, 2023. Though ketamine has emerged as a potential treatment for mental health conditions, prosecutors allege Perry went far beyond the bounds of medically supervised care, obtaining unsupervised and excessive doses that fueled a dangerous dependency.

At the time of his death, Perry had ketamine levels in his body that the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner said were consistent with general anesthesia. Authorities say Perry had spent approximately $55,000 in the final month of his life for what amounted to six to eight shots of ketamine per day—doses acquired from Plasencia and other defendants.

The case documents reveal a particularly damning text exchange between Plasencia and fellow physician Mark Chavez, who has also pleaded guilty. The two debated what to charge Perry. One message reads, “I wonder how much this moron will pay. Lets find out.”