A drug addiction counselor with a license, who supplied Matthew Perry, the actor from the show Friends, with ketamine doses that led to his death, has been sentenced to two years in prison by Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett in a federal court in Los Angeles.
During the sentencing, 56-year-old Erik Fleming expressed remorse, stating it feels like a never-ending nightmare and acknowledging the mistakes he made. Fleming, dressed in a black suit, spoke somberly at the podium.
Fleming is the fourth of five defendants who have admitted guilt in connection to Perry’s death in 2023. He facilitated the connection between Perry and Jasveen Sangha, known as the “Ketamine Queen,” who was previously sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Fleming cooperated with investigators from the start and was the first to plead guilty in August 2024 to one count of distributing ketamine resulting in death. His cooperation led to a reduced prison sentence, according to federal guidelines.
In a sentencing memo, prosecutors acknowledged Fleming’s cooperation but also highlighted his role as a drug counselor who knowingly sold illegal drugs to someone with a documented history of addiction. Fleming’s defense team sought a lighter sentence, emphasizing his efforts to make amends for his actions.
Perry had been undergoing ketamine treatments for depression, which is a common off-label use of the drug. Prior to his death, Perry sought additional ketamine and was introduced to Fleming through a friend who was in a treatment facility. Fleming, a former producer turned counselor, had struggled with addiction himself.
Fleming obtained ketamine from Sangha, marked up the price, and supplied it to Perry through his personal assistant. Perry died after using ketamine provided by Fleming, with drowning listed as a secondary cause of death.
Next in line for sentencing is Perry’s personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa. Perry, renowned for his role as Chandler Bing in Friends, passed away at the age of 54. An auction of his belongings, including Friends memorabilia, will benefit the foundation established in his honor posthumously.