This article originally stated that Dr. Mark Chavez had pleaded guilty to a felony charge of conspiracy to distribute ketamine when, in fact, he entered into an agreement with prosecutors in which he promised to plead guilty in the future — Ed.
Dr. Mark Chavez of San Diego has entered into a plea agreement with the U.S. government in which he promises to plead guilty to supplying the ketamine that enabled "Friends" star Matthew Perry to spiral deeper and deeper into his addiction, ending in his ketamine overdose death earlier last year.
On Friday, NBC7 looked into the network of people arrested in connection to Perry's death and Chavez's work in San Diego.
Indictment documents described how, from September through October of 2023, Chavez provided a contact of at least 20 years, Dr. Salvador Plasencia of Los Angeles, with vials of the drug, and also conspired on price and inventory.
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On Oct. 2, 2023, for example, Plasencia texted Chavez: "If today goes well, we may have repeat business."
Chavez responded: “Let’s do everything we can to make it happen.”
In Wednesday's news conference, U.S. attorney Martin Estrada announced the arrests.
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“They knew what they were doing was wrong," Estrada said. "They knew what they were doing was risking great danger to Mr. Perry, but they did it anyways."
In March 2023, Dreamscape Ketamine in Mission Valley shared a Facebook post introducing Chavez as an owner. The business was also mentioned multiple times in court documents, describing how he lied to ketamine wholesalers, using his former connection to the business as a way to get the ketamine that Perry would end up with.
Chavez's LinkedIn page also listed QC Kinetics a non-surgical regeneration clinic with locations in Torrey Hills and Hillcrest. His business card was still at the front desk of one of the locations as of Friday afternoon.
Chavez also created a product called Gravity Ball: a resistance-based medicine ball. He is featured in several educational videos, all the while promoting himself as a health coach and medical concierge.
Chavez's attorney wouldn’t provide NBC 7 with a comment, but Plasencia's attorney, Stefan Sacks, did speak to NBC 4.
“Obviously, Dr. Plasencia, as did everyone in America, knew that Matthew Perry had struggled with addiction in the past. That doesn’t stop a doctor from trying to exercise the best medical practice to try and treat a person who needs some sort of medical help,“ said Sacks.
The Medical Board of California has investigated Chavez. According to its website, his medical license appears to be active but NBC 7 is waiting to hear back from a representative.
On Aug. 21, NBC 7 confirmed that Chavez has surrendered his DEA registration and is no longer able to legally prescribe medications.
Chavez is due back in court later this month.
NBC 7 received the following statement from Dreamscape Katamine on Aug. 29:
We are aware of the federal charges that were released to the public on Aug.15, 2024, against five individuals, including San Diego Dr. Mark Chavez, in connection with the death of actor Matthew Perry. We are also aware that Chavez, who previously owned and operated a ketamine clinic at the same location as Dreamscape Ketamine and Wellness, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.
Chavez’s ketamine clinic closed more than one year ago. He has never been involved with Dreamscape Ketamine and Wellness in any capacity whatsoever.
We are saddened that a proven and effective therapy contributed to the untimely death of Matthew Perry. Our thoughts continue to be with his family and friends over their loss.
Ketamine therapy is a life-saving treatment for many individuals and has been shown to be extremely beneficial in treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain and other conditions. It is very safe when administered in an approved clinical setting by qualified medical professionals following strict protocols, as is always the case at Dreamscape Ketamine and Wellness.
