A licensed drug counselor who admitted to helping supply ketamine to Matthew Perry before the actor’s death has been sentenced to two years in federal prison, marking another major development in the ongoing investigation surrounding the late “Friends” star.
Erik Fleming, 56, was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett in Los Angeles. In addition to the prison sentence, Fleming received three years of supervised release and was ordered to surrender to authorities by June 29, 2026.
The sentencing makes Fleming the fourth of five defendants connected to Perry’s death to be convicted in the high-profile ketamine distribution case.
Fleming Expressed Remorse in Court
During the hearing, Fleming apologized for his actions and acknowledged the consequences of his role in the case.
“It’s truly a nightmare I can’t wake up from,” he told the court. “I am haunted by the mistakes I made.”
Federal prosecutors said Fleming played a critical role in connecting Perry to Jasveen Sangha, a drug dealer prosecutors referred to as the “Ketamine Queen.”
According to investigators, Fleming personally delivered dozens of ketamine vials to Perry’s live-in assistant, including the batch linked to the actor’s fatal overdose.
Matthew Perry Died in 2023
Perry, best known for portraying Chandler Bing on the hit television show Friends, died on October 28, 2023, at his Los Angeles home. He was 54 years old.
An autopsy later determined that Perry died from the acute effects of ketamine. Drowning was listed as a secondary contributing factor after the actor was found unresponsive in a hot tub.
The actor’s death shocked fans worldwide and renewed public discussion about addiction treatment, prescription drug misuse, and the growing underground market for ketamine.
Prosecutors Sought Longer Sentence
Federal prosecutors had requested a 30-month prison sentence for Fleming. While they acknowledged his cooperation during the investigation, they argued that he only began assisting authorities after investigators had gathered substantial evidence against him.
The broader investigation into Perry’s death has focused on how the actor obtained ketamine outside supervised medical treatment, despite publicly discussing his long struggle with addiction and recovery.
Authorities have continued pursuing charges against multiple individuals accused of illegally supplying the drug.