Jasveen Sangha — the Los Angeles drug dealer nicknamed the “Ketamine Queen” — was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison on April 8, 2026, for her central role in supplying the ketamine that killed beloved Friends actor Matthew Perry in October 2023. The sentencing has been trending heavily across US news and social media, bringing renewed attention to drug dealer accountability, federal sentencing laws, and how the US federal prison system handles distribution-resulting-in-death cases.
Who Is Jasveen Sangha?
Jasveen Sangha is a 42-year-old British-American woman of Indian descent who, on the surface, cultivated an image as a well-travelled art curator and socialite. Behind that polished social media persona, however, federal prosecutors say she ran a prolific, high-volume drug trafficking operation out of her apartment in North Hollywood, California.
Sangha held degrees from the University of California, Irvine and Hult Business School, and moved freely in Los Angeles social circles. Prosecutors allege she had been operating her illicit drug business from at least 2019, storing, packaging, and distributing narcotics — primarily ketamine, but also methamphetamine — from her home. She marketed herself as an exclusive supplier catering to high-profile Hollywood clientele, earning her the street nickname “Ketamine Queen.” Her operation was not a small side-hustle: authorities described it as a high-volume trafficking enterprise that spanned years and contributed to at least two overdose deaths.
How Matthew Perry Died
Matthew Perry, 54, was one of the most recognisable faces on American television, famous worldwide for his portrayal of Chandler Bing on the long-running sitcom Friends. He died on October 28, 2023, when he was found unresponsive, face down in the heated pool at his home in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner determined his cause of death was an accidental ketamine overdose, with drowning listed as a secondary contributing factor, along with coronary artery disease and buprenorphine. In his final months, Perry had been undergoing legitimate ketamine infusion therapy to treat depression and anxiety — but prosecutors said his dependence on the drug had been “spiralling out of control” as he sought additional, unsupervised doses from outside sources.
In October 2023, Sangha and a co-conspirator, Erik Fleming, supplied approximately 51 vials of ketamine that were delivered to Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry’s live-in personal assistant. On October 28, 2023, Iwamasa injected Perry with at least three doses of that ketamine — a fatal amount that sent Perry into cardiac arrest before he drowned in his pool.
Federal Charges and Guilty Plea
Sangha was arrested and charged with five federal counts. She eventually pleaded guilty in August 2025 to all five charges:
- One count of maintaining a drug-involved premises — for operating her North Hollywood apartment as a base for drug storage and distribution.
- One count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death or serious bodily injury — the most serious charge, tied directly to Matthew Perry’s overdose death.
- Three counts of distribution of ketamine — covering additional sales to Perry and others.
Prosecutors noted that Sangha was also linked to the August 2019 overdose death of Cody McLaury, to whom she had sold four vials of ketamine. The government argued she had continued her operation despite knowing her drugs had already killed someone. In total, Sangha faced a potential maximum sentence of up to 65 years in federal prison. Under the plea agreement, the government recommended a substantial sentence reflecting the gravity of the offences.
The 15-Year Sentence Explained
On April 8, 2026, United States District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett sentenced Jasveen Sangha to 15 years (180 months) in federal prison, along with three years of supervised release upon completion of her sentence.
Prosecutors had argued for a lengthy sentence, stating that Sangha “operated a high-volume drug trafficking business out of her North Hollywood residence” and that she “marketed herself as an exclusive dealer who catered to high-profile Hollywood clientele.” They emphasised that she knowingly disregarded the grave harm her conduct was causing — even after the 2019 death of McLaury — and continued trafficking for years. Defence attorneys argued for a lesser sentence, citing personal circumstances, but the judge sided closer to the government’s position.
Critically, the charge of “distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death” carries a statutory mandatory minimum of 20 years in most federal circumstances. However, the exact sentence reflects sentencing guideline calculations, plea agreement terms, and judicial discretion. Federal judges consider factors including the defendant’s role in the offence, criminal history, acceptance of responsibility (via a guilty plea), and the specific harm caused. The 15-year sentence, while below the statutory maximum exposure of 65 years, represents one of the most significant drug-related sentences tied to a celebrity death in recent US history.
Other Defendants in the Perry Case
Sangha was not the only person held accountable for Matthew Perry’s death. Federal prosecutors charged five individuals in total, all of whom pleaded guilty:
- Kenneth Iwamasa — Perry’s live-in personal assistant, who physically administered the fatal ketamine injections. He pleaded guilty in August 2024 to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine resulting in death and was scheduled for sentencing on April 22, 2026, facing up to 15 years.
- Erik Fleming — a drug dealer who acted as a middleman between Sangha and Perry’s circle. He pleaded guilty in August 2024 to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine resulting in death. His sentencing was scheduled for April 29, 2026, with a maximum exposure of 25 years.
- Dr. Mark Chavez — a doctor who pleaded guilty in 2024 in connection with his role in supplying ketamine to Perry.
- Dr. Salvador Plasencia — another physician who had initially been Perry’s ketamine therapy provider before reducing his distribution. He pleaded guilty to four counts of distribution of ketamine in July 2025.
The coordinated prosecution of doctors, dealers, and personal assistants together has been cited as a landmark moment in federal drug accountability, particularly for cases involving high-net-worth victims and professional enablers.
What Federal Prison Means in the US
Because Sangha was convicted of federal drug offences, she will serve her sentence in a facility operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) — not a state or county jail. Understanding the difference matters for anyone following this case or researching how the US carceral system works.
Federal prisons house individuals convicted of crimes against federal law — such as drug trafficking across state lines, mail fraud, federal weapons offences, and crimes on federal property. They are distinct from state prisons (which hold people convicted of state-level crimes) and county jails (which typically hold people awaiting trial or serving short sentences under two years).
A key feature of the federal system is the abolition of parole. Under the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984, federal parole was eliminated for offences committed after November 1, 1987. Instead, federal prisoners must serve at least 85% of their sentence before they are eligible for release, with the remaining time served under supervised release (similar to probation). For Sangha, a 15-year sentence means she will likely serve a minimum of approximately 12 years and 9 months before release — assuming good behaviour credits under the First Step Act, which can reduce time served by up to 54 days per year.
Sangha will be designated to a federal women’s facility. The BOP assigns prisoners to facilities based on security level, medical needs, and proximity to family. Federal prison conditions and inmate rights are areas we cover extensively on this site — see our guides on federal vs state prison, how federal sentencing works, and what to expect in federal prison for more detail.
The Perry case has also reignited debate about drug-induced homicide laws at both state and federal levels — a growing category of prosecution in which drug suppliers are charged with homicide or manslaughter when their product causes a fatal overdose. Federal prosecutors relied here on the “death results” enhancement under 21 U.S.C. § 841(b), which significantly escalates maximum penalties when a controlled substance distribution leads to death.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will Jasveen Sangha actually serve in prison?
Sangha was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. Under federal law, there is no parole in the federal system, and prisoners must serve at least 85% of their sentence. That means Sangha will serve a minimum of approximately 12 years and 9 months. She may also earn additional time off under the First Step Act’s good time credits (up to 54 days per year of sentence), potentially reducing her release date further — but she will still serve the vast majority of her 15-year sentence.
What federal prison will Jasveen Sangha go to?
That has not been publicly confirmed at the time of writing. The Federal Bureau of Prisons designates inmates to facilities based on security classification, medical needs, and available bed space. As a federal female offender without a prior serious criminal history, Sangha would likely be designated to a low or medium security federal women’s facility. The BOP will make the designation after sentencing is finalised and she is formally committed to their custody.
Why is this a federal case rather than a state case?
Although the events occurred in California, the charges involve federal drug trafficking statutes — specifically 21 U.S.C. § 841, which governs the manufacture and distribution of controlled substances. Federal jurisdiction applies when the conduct involves trafficking (selling or distributing drugs), particularly when the quantities or conduct meet federal thresholds. Because the death of Matthew Perry was linked to a drug distribution chain, federal prosecutors in the Central District of California took the case. State charges could theoretically also have been filed in California, but the US Attorney’s Office pursued the federal route, which carries its own sentencing guidelines and mandatory minimum enhancements.
What does “distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death” mean under US law?
Under 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(C), if a person distributes a controlled substance and the use of that substance results in death or serious bodily injury, the penalty increases dramatically. For most Schedule I or II controlled substances, this enhancement raises the mandatory minimum sentence and can bring the maximum to life imprisonment in repeat-offence cases. The standard applied is “but-for causation” — meaning the government must prove that the drug use was a but-for cause of the death. Sangha’s guilty plea to this specific charge was central to her 15-year sentence.
Who else is going to prison for Matthew Perry’s death?
As of April 2026, four other individuals have pleaded guilty in connection with Perry’s death. Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry’s personal assistant who physically administered the fatal injections, was facing sentencing on April 22, 2026, with a potential maximum of 15 years. Erik Fleming, a middleman drug dealer, was scheduled for sentencing on April 29, 2026, facing up to 25 years. Doctors Mark Chavez and Salvador Plasencia both pleaded guilty for their roles in distributing ketamine to Perry outside legitimate medical channels and were awaiting their own sentencing hearings.