Kenneth Iwamasa, the personal assistant who lived with Matthew Perry and played a significant role in the actor’s spiral into ketamine addiction, has been sentenced to three years and five months in prison. The sentencing was delivered by Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett in federal court in Los Angeles, where Iwamasa, aged 60, also received two years of probation and a $10,000 US fine.
This marked the conclusion of a two-and-a-half-year investigation and prosecution that unfolded following Perry’s passing at the age of 54 on October 28, 2023. Judge Garnett highlighted Iwamasa’s awareness of Perry’s battle with addiction and described his behavior as reckless, not only on the day of Perry’s death but in the lead-up to the tragic event.
Contrary to the prosecution’s hopes, Judge Garnett did not find evidence of Iwamasa abusing a position of trust, which could have resulted in a longer prison term. She acknowledged the absence of concrete proof of malicious intent in Iwamasa’s actions, although she noted that some might disagree.
Throughout the final days of Perry’s life, Iwamasa served as his enabler, drug provider, and quasi-medical aide. He was the last person to see Perry alive and was the one who discovered him deceased in his hot tub. In a statement before the sentencing, Iwamasa expressed deep remorse and offered his condolences to Perry’s family and friends.
Iwamasa was the initial individual to strike a deal with prosecutors, pleading guilty in August 2024 to a charge of conspiracy to distribute ketamine resulting in death, subsequently becoming a crucial witness for the prosecution.
During the sentencing proceedings, Iwamasa’s lawyer, Alan Eisner, advocated for a lighter sentence, emphasizing that Iwamasa always acted under the influence of a more dominant individual. However, the judge intervened, asserting that Iwamasa had the capacity to refuse his actions but chose not to.
Keith Morrison, Perry’s stepfather and a renowned Dateline journalist, addressed the court on behalf of Perry’s loved ones, highlighting the trust they had placed in Iwamasa despite the inherent power dynamic. Morrison underlined that Iwamasa had opportunities to prevent the tragic outcome but failed to act accordingly, ultimately serving his own interests at the expense of Perry’s well-being.
The sentencing of Iwamasa marked the final chapter in the legal proceedings involving the five individuals connected to Perry’s demise. According to Iwamasa’s confession, he obtained ketamine illicitly from Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who instructed him on its administration. Plasencia had previously received a two-and-a-half-year prison term.
In addition to his dealings with Plasencia, Iwamasa procured ketamine from Erik Fleming, an acquaintance of Perry, who sourced the drug from a street dealer. Fleming was sentenced to two years in prison, while the dealer, Jasveen Sangha, received a 15-year sentence. The medical examiner determined that ketamine was the primary cause of Perry’s death, with drowning listed as a secondary factor.
Initially, Iwamasa misled authorities regarding the events leading to Perry’s passing but eventually came clean following a search warrant. Perry, known for his role on the hit sitcom Friends, passed away amid a battle with ketamine addiction, leaving behind a legacy of stardom and a tragic end to his life.