Jasveen Sangha, dubbed the ‘Ketamine Queen,’ appears at federal court ahead of her guilty plea in Matthew Perry ketamine case. Gabriel Bouys/AFP/File
Ketamine Queen guilty plea advances federal Perry ketamine investigation
The Ketamine Queen guilty plea marks a significant development in the federal investigation into circumstances surrounding Matthew Perry’s overdose.
Prosecutors say Sangha will admit to maintaining a drug-involved premises and several counts of ketamine distribution, including one resulting in death or serious bodily injury.
Court documents indicate she may face lengthy prison sentences if convicted, with maximum penalties including decades behind bars.
The plea agreement awaits court approval, following which sentencing proceedings will proceed according to federal guidelines.
Details of the agreement were outlined in a Department of Justice press statement, describing a distribution network involving Sangha, intermediaries, and a fatal series of ketamine injections.
Ketamine Queen case: supply chain behind Perry overdose
Prosecutors allege Sangha operated a stash house in the Los Angeles area, storing and distributing controlled substances including ketamine, methamphetamine, and counterfeit pharmaceuticals. A 2023 bust uncovered multiple vials of ketamine and drug paraphernalia.
According to filings, Sangha supplied approximately 51 vials to an intermediary, who passed them to Matthew Perry’s assistant.
That assistant administered multiple injections on 28 October 2023, leading to Perry’s collapse and subsequent death. Coroner findings attribute the cause to acute ketamine effects, contributed by drowning and preexisting conditions.
Ketamine Queen plea concludes chain of Perry overdose prosecutions
With Sangha’s impending plea, she is the fifth person to admit involvement in the ketamine chain that ended in the actor’s death. Others include Perry’s assistant, an intermediary, and two physicians previously charged and convicted.
Together, the convictions form the closure of a case spotlighting the lethal consequences of diversion of controlled anaesthetics.
The plea will inform sentencing, with prosecutors seeking terms reflecting both supply volume and the fatal outcome, while defense may argue mitigating factors. Judges may accept plea agreements and deliver sentences based upon sentencing memoranda submitted by both parties.
Ketamine Queen sentencing to shape overdose distribution precedent
Legal commentaries note that the Ketamine Queen sentencing will set a precedent for cases involving non-medical ketamine distribution resulting in death. The distributor’s role, once admitted through guilty plea, underscores accountability in cases where drug supply leads to fatal outcomes.
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The court’s handling of this plea is expected to influence how similar cases are prosecuted and sentenced, particularly regarding controlled substances diverted outside medical oversight.
Ketamine Queen plea dramatizes growing concerns over diversion of ketamine
Ketamine has legitimate medical use for anaesthesia and certain mental health therapies, but unauthorized distribution presents serious risks. Analysts emphasize that diversion cases such as this highlight vulnerabilities in regulatory systems and the potential for misuse.
Lawmakers and regulators may use the outcome of this high-profile case to evaluate policies around prescription authority, supply chain integrity, and mechanisms to prevent unauthorized distribution of controlled substances.
Ketamine Queen guilty plea finalizes high-profile overdose saga
The court is scheduled to accept Sangha’s plea formally at a soon-to-be-announced hearing. Following that, a sentencing date will be established. Sentencing may include prison terms, restitution, and supervisory conditions upon release.
Details of the agreement were outlined in a Department of Justice press statement, describing a distribution network involving Sangha.
Perry, 54, was found dead in his Los Angeles home, according to a report by BBC .
The conclusion of the criminal case draws extended public and media attention to addiction, distribution responsibility, and the interplay between medical and criminal domains.
