Ketamine Queen’ to Plead Guilty in Federal Case Tied to Matthew Perry’s Death
A North Hollywood woman at the center of a high-profile federal drug investigation has agreed to plead guilty to multiple felony charges tied to the ketamine overdose death of actor Matthew Perry. The woman, identified as Jasveen Sangha, 42, and also known by the alias “Ketamine Queen,” has been in federal custody since August 2024. According to a plea agreement filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, Sangha has admitted to maintaining a drug-involved premises and distributing ketamine—one of the counts specifically resulting in death or serious bodily injury.
The case stems from an October 2023 incident in which Sangha, working with Erik Fleming of Hawthorne, sold 51 vials of ketamine intended for Perry. The drugs were delivered through Perry’s live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, who injected the actor multiple times in the days leading up to his death. On the night of October 28, 2023, Perry was injected with at least three doses of ketamine supplied by Sangha, which directly caused his fatal overdose, as stated in court documents.
The investigation revealed that Sangha used encrypted messaging app Signal to communicate with Fleming after news of Perry’s death broke. She reportedly advised him to delete all of their message history and altered her app settings to automatically erase conversations. These efforts to conceal communications were captured and presented as part of the case.
In addition to the charges related to Perry, Sangha also admitted to distributing ketamine in 2019 that resulted in the overdose death of another individual, Cody McLaury. Furthermore, a federal search of her North Hollywood residence in March 2023 uncovered a significant stash of narcotics, including 1.7 kilograms of pressed methamphetamine pills, 79 vials of liquid ketamine, ecstasy, counterfeit Xanax, cocaine, and various drug trafficking tools such as packaging materials, surveillance devices, and a money counter.
Upon entering her plea, Sangha will face a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for operating a drug-involved premises, up to 10 years for each count of drug distribution, and up to 15 years for the count involving death or serious injury. Her formal sentencing hearing is expected in the coming months.
This case also includes multiple co-defendants. Erik Fleming pleaded guilty in August 2024 to conspiracy and distribution resulting in death and faces up to 25 years in prison. Kenneth Iwamasa pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death and faces up to 15 years. Mark Chavez, a San Diego physician, and Salvador Plasencia, also known as “Dr. P,” both pleaded guilty to ketamine distribution-related charges and await sentencing.
The investigation is being led by the DEA, LAPD, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Prosecutors from the DOJ’s Terrorism and Export Crimes and Major Frauds Sections are handling the case.
