Drug counselor sentenced to 2 years for delivering ketamine that killed 'Friends' star Matthew Perry
A licensed drug addiction counselor who delivered doses of ketamine that killed 'Friends' actor Matthew Perry was sentenced to two years in prison.
LOS ANGELES: A federal court in Los Angeles handed down a sentence of two years in prison to 56-year-old Erik Fleming, a licensed drug addiction counselor convicted of delivering the doses of ketamine that killed ‘Friends’ star Matthew Perry.
Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett delivered the verdict on Wednesday, with Fleming ordered to turn himself in to serve his term within 45 days and also sentenced to three years of probation.Fleming admitted to one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death, before arrests in the case were even announced.
He cooperated by providing information that led to the conviction of ‘The Ketamine Queen,’ drug dealer Jasveen Sangha, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Prosecutors argued that Fleming only cooperated when confronted and cornered by authorities.
They stated that he deserved credit for doing the right thing but noted that his actions were motivated by self-preservation.Fleming had no prior criminal record and claimed that he had relapsed after the death of a beloved stepmother who had helped him overcome a traumatic childhood.
He became involved in delivering ketamine to Perry through a friend who was seeking more of the drug for depression, an increasingly common off-label use.
Fleming sourced the ketamine from Sangha, marked up the price, and delivered it to Perry’s home where it was sold to the actor’s live-in personal assistant.The medical examiner determined that Perry died from acute effects of ketamine, with drowning as a secondary cause after ingesting 25 vials worth $6,000 just four days before his death.
Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry's personal assistant who administered the ketamine, is scheduled to be the final defendant sentenced in two weeks.Perry became one of the biggest stars of his generation playing Chandler Bing on ‘Friends,’ NBC’s groundbreaking sitcom that ran from 1994 to 2004.
In his honor, an auction of his valuables, including 'Friends' memorabilia, will benefit the foundation established after his death.
Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett delivered the verdict on Wednesday, with Fleming ordered to turn himself in to serve his term within 45 days and also sentenced to three years of probation.Fleming admitted to one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death, before arrests in the case were even announced.
He cooperated by providing information that led to the conviction of ‘The Ketamine Queen,’ drug dealer Jasveen Sangha, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Prosecutors argued that Fleming only cooperated when confronted and cornered by authorities.
They stated that he deserved credit for doing the right thing but noted that his actions were motivated by self-preservation.Fleming had no prior criminal record and claimed that he had relapsed after the death of a beloved stepmother who had helped him overcome a traumatic childhood.
He became involved in delivering ketamine to Perry through a friend who was seeking more of the drug for depression, an increasingly common off-label use.
Fleming sourced the ketamine from Sangha, marked up the price, and delivered it to Perry’s home where it was sold to the actor’s live-in personal assistant.The medical examiner determined that Perry died from acute effects of ketamine, with drowning as a secondary cause after ingesting 25 vials worth $6,000 just four days before his death.
Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry's personal assistant who administered the ketamine, is scheduled to be the final defendant sentenced in two weeks.Perry became one of the biggest stars of his generation playing Chandler Bing on ‘Friends,’ NBC’s groundbreaking sitcom that ran from 1994 to 2004.
In his honor, an auction of his valuables, including 'Friends' memorabilia, will benefit the foundation established after his death.
