A drug addiction counselor with a license, who supplied Matthew Perry, the actor from “Friends,” with ketamine that led to his death, has been sentenced to two years in prison. The sentencing was delivered by Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett in a federal court in Los Angeles. Erik Fleming, aged 56, expressed his remorse to the judge before receiving the sentence, admitting to being haunted by his past mistakes. He appeared in a black suit, speaking in a somber tone at the podium.
Erik Fleming is the fourth individual to be sentenced out of five who pleaded guilty in connection with Perry’s death in 2023. Fleming facilitated the connection between Perry and Jasveen Sangha, a convicted drug dealer known as the “Ketamine Queen,” who was previously sentenced to 15 years in prison.
After being contacted by investigators, Fleming cooperated and was the first to plead guilty in August 2024 to distributing ketamine resulting in death. This cooperation led to a reduced sentence of two years in prison as per federal sentencing guidelines. Despite his assistance, prosecutors highlighted Fleming’s role as a drug counselor who knowingly provided illegal drugs to a known drug addict like Perry.
Perry, who was undergoing ketamine treatments for depression, sought additional ketamine through a friend due to restrictions from doctors. The friend introduced Perry to Fleming, a reformed film and TV producer turned drug counselor. Fleming, in need of money, sourced ketamine from Sangha, marked up the price, and delivered it to Perry through his assistant Kenneth Iwamasa. Perry’s death was attributed to the acute effects of ketamine, with drowning listed as a secondary cause.
Kenneth Iwamasa, the assistant who administered the fatal dose to Perry, is awaiting sentencing in two weeks. Perry, known for his role as Chandler Bing on “Friends,” passed away at the age of 54. An auction of his belongings, including memorabilia from the show, will benefit the foundation established in his honor posthumously.